Metro Manila malls to extend operating hours for holiday season

MANILA, Philippines - Mall operators signed on Friday an agreement with the Metro Manila Development Authority to extend their operating hours during the Christmas season.

MMDA Chair Emerson Carlos and 15 mall operators signed a manifesto to extend mall operating hours to minimize traffic in the metro during the holidays, a state report said.

Under the agreement, establishments will operate from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. starting Dec. 1, 2015 until Jan. 3, 2016.

Malls that agreed to extend their operating hours include Robinsons Malls, SM Malls, Ayala Malls, Shangri-La Plaza, Farmers Plaza, Gateway Mall, Greenfield Development Corp., Eastwood City, The Podium, Eton Centris and Walter Mart malls.

“This has been a yearly practice for us to sign this agreement in order to ease vehicular and pedestrian traffic during the holiday season,” Carlos said.

According to MMDA, traffic volume usually rises 15 to 20 percent between November and December.

The MMDA chief reminded operators to provide MMDA with the schedule of special events in their malls for the agency to make traffic management adjustments in their respective areas.

Carlos also advised shoppers to do their Christmas shopping early to avoid the holidays rush and traffic jams.