This Week in Manila (May 23 to 29, 2016)

Cloudy skies with some thunderstorms can be expected the entire week though the weather remains warm when it’s daytime and not raining. This being said, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) confirms that the El Niño has begun to weaken.

The country’s weather bureau said further that the nation will experience a rather normal rainy weather condition during the May-June-July period. This includes local thunderstorms, inter-tropical convergence zone, lower pressure areas, and tropical cyclones. Meanwhile, La Niña, a phenomenon which heightens usual stormy weather conditions, is expected to set in by the third quarter of this year.

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) together with Global Payments Asia is creating an online payment system where foreigners can process their visa extension. Foreign tourists just have to log on to the immigration website where they can fill up the form for visa extension. After paying online, they will receive online printable receipts indicating the client’s appointment date at the Bureau’s main office. On the said date, they will present their receipts and have their passports stamped at BI.

Although investigations by MIAA are still ongoing, departing passengers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 (NAIA-3) are taking extra caution due to reports of a new scam in the premises.

Two porters were reported to have extorted money from an American employee of Delta Air who was bound to leave the country last May 3. A similar incident previously occurred in NAIA-3 where Delta Air customers became victims of delinquent porters. Said porters are already endorsed for termination of employment.

Some malls are having their last summer sale events this weekend so lots of crowd and slow moving traffic can be expected around these areas.

SM Megamall in Mandaluyong is holding its last hurrah summer deals on May 27, 28, and 29. Their Mega Weekend Specials gives up to 70% off on great selections.

Meanwhile, SM Southmall Alabang-Zapote Road, Las Piñas City is holding their Five-day Summer Sale starting this Friday, May 27, until the last day of the month, Tuesday, May 31. Mall hours are 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM on Friday and Saturday, 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM on Sunday, and 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM on Monday and Tuesday.

All Robinsons Department Stores will hold another May Day Sale this month. Aside from the up to 50% discount on selected items, Robinsons Rewards Card holders can double their points when they shop from 10AM to 2PM on May 27.

Meanwhile, Festival Mall is giving up to 70% discount on apparel, shoes, and other selected items on May 27 to 29, 2016. People from or going to the southern side of Manila can drop by at the Festival Mall All-Out Shopaholic Sale happening at Festival Alabang, Filinvest City, Alabang, Muntinlupa City. A back-to-school sale is also ongoing there up to May 31.

The intersection of Quezon Avenue – Roosevelt Avenue has been closed to traffic starting Saturday, May 21. The temporary closure has been done to give way to the ongoing Skyway Stage 3 Project. Traffic lights in the area will be in a flashing mode and the u-turn slot will be opened for affected vehicles going to EDSA,” says the Metro Manila Development Authority’s (MMDA) advisory released via its official Twitter page on May 25, 2016.

The Skyway Stage 3 Project is an “is an elevated expressway over its entire length from Buendia, Makati City to Balintawak, Quezon City with a distance of about 14.82 km., designed to pull in and ease traffic and access through eight (8) strategically located interchanges: these being at Buendia, Pres. Quirino Avenue, Plaza Dilao and Nagtahan, Aurora Boulevard, E. Rodriguez Avenue, Quezon Avenue, Sgt. Rivera and Balintawak with a total of fourteen (14) Toll Plazas,” according to the Department of Public Works and Highways website.