In case you didn’t know yet, Metro Manila malls will have a change in their operating hours starting today, in anticipation of the holiday season rush.
MANILA, Philippines – The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) announced on Nov. 8 that starting Nov. 14, malls in Metro Manila will be open from 11a.m. until 11p.m.
This adjustment will be in effect until Jan. 6, 2023, but may be lifted earlier if the traffic situation in the metropolis is manageable after Christmas, according to MMDA acting chairman Romando Artes.
“Malaking tulong po ‘yan kasi sa public transport. ‘Yung mga empleyado ng malls imbis nakikipagsiksikan sila during rush hour, ma-adjust ‘yung oras ng biyahe nila, ganoon din ‘yung ibang mamimili,” Artes said in a briefing.
(Translation: That will be a big help for public transport. Mall employees would not need to huddle among other commuters during rush hour, their travel time will be adjusted, and likewise for other shoppers.)
Mall goers are also less likely to score sweet holiday deals during weekdays as grand mall sales can only be held during weekends.
As for mall purchase deliveries, the window is from 11p.m. to 5a.m. only, except for deliveries involving perishable goods, restaurants serving breakfast, and groceries.
Shopping centers are tasked to submit schedules of their sales and promotional events, along with their traffic management plans in advance so the MMDA can further study these and deploy the necessary number of traffic enforcers in the area.
The meeting was attended by representatives from SM Malls, Robinsons, Araneta Center, Greenhills Shopping Center, Ortigas Shopping Center and Trinoma Vertis, among others.
Artes also announced that part of MMDA’s remedial measures to mitigate the holiday traffic is the temporary suspension of all excavation activities in NCR roads, also starting Nov. 14 until midnight of Jan. 6.