MMDA prohibits mall-wide sales in NCR during holiday rush
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has prohibited mall-wide sales in Metro Manila this December.
According to MMDA Task Force Special Operations Chief Gabriel Go, stores can hold sales as long as they do so without large-scale promotions.
"Outlet sales in the malls are allowed as long as there are no announcements," Go said.
This also aligns with the agency's "broader strategy" to manage traffic flow during the holiday season.
Similarly, mall operators also implemented adjusted mall hours since Nov. 18, in which some establishments are now open at 11 a.m.
In October, MMDA anticipated heavy traffic during the holiday rush following an increase in vehicles traveling along EDSA this year.
Citing MMDA General Manager Procopio Lipana, The Philippine STAR reported that an average of 421,699 vehicles have been using EDSA on a daily basis as of Monday, Oct. 7, which is higher than last year's record at 407,342.
Lipana said in a dzBB interview that the agency would "continuously monitor" the number of cars traversing EDSA and other major roads until December.
He added that the MMDA would reinstate previous programs, such as shopping mall schedule changes, regular clearing of Mabuhay lanes or alternate routes, and a temporary prohibition on road diggings, to prevent main roads from being congested during the Christmas season.
Moreover, MMDA said it will be lenient with "minor" traffic violators, underscoring that road enforcers have different priorities during this season.
"Our traffic enforcers will prioritize traffic management, and as usual they can let go of minor offenses," MMDA chairman Romando Artes said in a briefing while clarifying that the agency will still evaluate each situation individually to decide which minor traffic violations can be overlooked.
Meanwhile, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) has announced schedule changes for MRT-3, LRT-1, LRT-2 operations in anticipation of holiday rush.
Metro Manila was among the 387 metro areas with the worst traffic congestion in the world in the past year. The 2023 TomTom Traffic Index revealed that local motorists in Manila spent an average travel time of 25 minutes and 30 seconds per 10 kilometers last year. This is 50 seconds longer than it took to cover the same distance in 2022.
