IN preparation for this year’s Christmas season, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and mall owners and operators in the National Capital Region have agreed to adjust mall operations from 11AM until 11PM, effective November 14, 2022 until January 6, 2023.
This came out after a consultative meeting with major stakeholders was held today at the MMDA New Building in Pasig City.
MMDA Acting Chairman Atty. Romando Artes said the agency requested mall operators to adjust their mall hours to alleviate expected heavier traffic jams during the Christmas season.
“Starting November 14, malls in NCR will operate from 11am to 11pm instead of their usual operating hours. We have to implement remedial measures to reduce traffic congestion,” said Artes.
“Mall wide sales will be only allowed during weekends. Also, deliveries will be during 11pm to 5am only. Exempted from the regulation are deliveries of perishable goods, restaurants serving breakfast, and groceries.”
Artes also added that shopping mall operators are directed to submit their respective traffic management plans, and indicate their mall sales and promotional events two weeks before the scheduled of such events.
“We will make a further study on their traffic management plan. We will deploy necessary number of traffic enforcers to man the traffic,” he stressed.
Artes also hinted at the possibility of lifting mall operating hours restrictions earlier than January 6, 2023, depending on the traffic situation after Christmas.
“We will observe the traffic situation in the metropolis on December 26. If the traffic is normal and manageable, we will immediately lift the restrictions and announce it to the public,” he said.
Present during the meeting are representatives from SM Malls, Robinson’s, Araneta Center, Greenhills Shopping Center, Ortigas Shopping Center, Trinoma Vertis, among others.
Meanwhile, Artes announced the temporary suspension of all excavation activities in Metro Manila’s national roads effective midnight of November 14, 2022 up to midnight of January 6, 2023 which include road reblocking works, pipe laying, road upgrading, and all other excavation works.
Projects not covered are the following:
· Flagship projects of the government;
· DPWH bridge repair/construction;
· Flood interceptor catchment project (box culvert);
· Asphalt overlay projects without reblocking works;
· Sidewalk improvement;
· Drainage improvement projects along the sidewalk and not occupying any part of the roadway;
· Footbridge projects;
· Emergency leak repair or breakage of water line by Manila Water and Maynilad Water Services;
· Project using trenchless or horizontal directional drilling method;
· New water service or electrical service connections;
· Road activities without excavation (traffic clearance only);
· Traffic signalization projects; and
· Meralco relocation works affecting major projects of the government.
