Mall and commercial center operators on Monday agreed with the proposal of the Metro Manila Development Authority to adjust business hours to ease road congestion in the metropolis during the holiday season.
MMDA likewise secured the cooperation of the Department of Public Works and Highways and private water utility and telecommunication firms in carrying out traffic-alleviation measures in anticipation of monstrous traffic during the holidays.
MMDA general manager Jose Arturo Garcia Jr. and concerned representatives have agreed to implement from Nov. 5 to Jan. 14 next year the following action plans:
– Shopping mall operators located on major thoroughfares in Metro Manila will begin their operations at 11 am, an hour later from the usual 10 am opening time, during weekdays,
– Shopping mall operators will deploy additional security personnel to facilitate the long line of vehicles entering mall parking areas that add to the traffic gridlock,
– Obstructions on loading and unloading stations within the vicinity of shopping malls will be removed,
– Deliveries of non-perishable goods will be done only at night-time or from 11 pm to 5 am,
– No weekday sale policy, and
– Moratorium on roadworks, including road diggings and repairs, except government flagship projects and/or during emergency cases.
Garcia said these measures have been laid down to reduce the anticipated traffic congestion, particularly along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue, during the holidays.
“Traffic is already bad and we expect it to get worse as the number of vehicles increases,” he said.
Garcia said shopping malls are considered traffic generators during the holidays, and delaying their operating hours by an hour could help ease traffic situation in Metro Manila.
There are at least 15 shopping malls located along EDSA alone.
Among those who attended the meeting are representatives from SM Supermalls, Ayala malls, Robinsons, Meralco, Globe, PLDT, Maynilad, and Manila Waters.