In line with the practices of previous Christmas seasons, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is altering the operation hours of malls in Metro Manila with the aim of reducing traffic congestion.
The MMDA has also suspended road work and excavation, unless it involves priority government projects such as bridge repairs.
According to Memorandum Circular No. 15 of the MMDA, the operation hours for shopping malls in Metro Manila have been set to 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM from November 18, 2024 to December 25, 2024. This policy will be implemented in 131 malls across the National Capital Region (NCR).
Mall-wide sales will be prohibited during the specified dates, but individual stores or outlets within the malls can hold sales during weekdays, provided they have appropriate announcement or advertisement.
Deliveries to shopping malls are only allowed to be carried out from 11:00 PM to 5:00 AM, unless the items being transported are perishable.
From November 18, 2024 to December 25, 2024, all road work in Metro Manila, such as road reblocking, pipe laying and other construction works that can disrupt traffic, will be suspended.
However, government flagship projects, bridge repair work by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), projects addressing flooding concerns and emergency leak repairs are not included in the temporary suspension.
The MMDA will also request the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to extend the operation hours of public transport systems including the EDSA Bus Carousel, LRT, and MRT.
