Mall hours in NCR to be adjusted for 2022 holiday season

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is preparing for this year’s Christmas rush. With vehicle volume expected to increase, the agency has adjusted the operating hours of shopping malls in the National Capital Region (NCR) starting November 14, 2022. 

Mall hours will be adjusted this upcoming holiday season [Photo: Patrickroque01]

In a report by GMA News, the MMDA said that mall hours in NCR will be from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. during weekdays starting November 14, 2022. The adjusted mall hours will be implemented until January 6, 2023. This news was announced by MMDA spokesperson Mel Carunungan. 

Carunungan noted that the different mall management has agreed to the adjusted operating hours for this year’s holiday season. The agency’s spokesperson added that shopping malls in the capital were advised to schedule sales activities during weekends. 

Caranungan also urged mall owners to inform the MMDA regarding mall-wide sales this upcoming holiday season. This is to allow the MMDA to make necessary adjustments and preparation in traffic management.   

Adjusted mall hours is seen to help minimize traffic

Former acting MMDA chief Carlo Dimayuga III previously said that some road works in Metro Manila will be temporarily suspended or to be put on hold during this year’s holiday season. This move is seen to help minimize traffic congestion. The former MMDA chief added that up to 2,600 traffic enforcers will be deployed during the 2022 holiday season.

However, Dimayuga no longer holds the fort for the MMDA. He was replaced by Romando Artes who returned as the acting head of the MMDA. Artes was reinstated as the acting chairman of the MMDA by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. This was confirmed by Undersecretary Cheloy Garafil, Officer-in-Charge of the Office of the Press Secretary.       

The said holiday season measures have been the go-to strategy of the MMDA. In 2019, the agency implemented similar measures while in 2021 malls in Metro Manila were also ordered to operate from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. 

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