MANILA – The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has announced its traffic management strategies for the upcoming Christmas season, following a consultative meeting with key stakeholders on Monday.
MMDA Chairman Atty. Don Artes led the meeting, which saw unanimous support from representatives of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), shopping mall operators, and utility companies.
Recognizing the expected surge in vehicle volume during the holidays, Artes emphasized the need for proactive measures to mitigate traffic congestion in Metro Manila.
“We need to implement remedial measures to reduce traffic congestion as vehicle volume in Metro Manila increases during the holidays,” Artes stated during a press briefing at the MMDA Head Office in Julia Vargas.
According to the latest data from the MMDA Traffic Engineering Center, approximately 421,000 vehicles travel EDSA daily as of September 24.
Key measures to be implemented include:
Suspension of Road Excavation: All road right-of-way excavation activities in Metro Manila will be temporarily suspended from midnight on November 18 until midnight on December 25. This moratorium affects road reblocking, pipe-laying, and other excavation works that could disrupt traffic flow. Exceptions will be made for government flagship projects, DPWH bridge repairs, and emergency leak repairs.
Traffic Management Plans from Malls: Shopping mall operators must submit traffic management plans to the MMDA for their sales and promotional events at least two weeks prior to the events.
Additionally, shopping malls in Metro Manila will shift their opening times to 11 a.m., an hour later than the usual 10 a.m. opening, from November 18 to December 25. The closing times will be left to the discretion of the mall operators, with encouragement to extend hours for shoppers.
“Mall-wide sales shall not be allowed; however, sales in individual stores may proceed on weekdays without advertisements,” Artes clarified. Deliveries to malls will be restricted to nighttime hours, specifically from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m., with the exception of perishable goods.
The MMDA will also request the Department of Transportation to extend public transport operating hours, particularly for the EDSA Bus Carousel, LRT, and MRT, to better serve late-night commuters and mall employees.
Attendees of the meeting included representatives from major mall operators like SM Malls, Robinson’s, and Ayala Malls, as well as utility companies such as Meralco, PLDT, Globe, DITO, Manila Water, and Maynilad.
As the holiday season approaches, the MMDA aims to ensure smoother traffic flow and enhanced convenience for the public. (GLG/PIA-NCR)
