Metro Manila Mall Hours Will Be Opened From 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM Starting November 14

Metro Manila mall hours and National Capital Region (NCR) mall operations shall adjust to new hours in response to the anticipated holiday rush this year. New mall hours in Metro Manila will be from 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM, effective November 14, as the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) announced.

Acting Chairman of the MMDA, Romando Artes, says that the new operating hours of malls in Metro Manila shall take effect immediately as part of the holiday preparations and to address the expected flock of mall shoppers during the holiday season. Artes also says they are set to implement the said Metro Manila mall operation adjustments as a response measure to regulate foot traffic and crowd congestion.

Metro Manila and NCR mall operations may be effective until January 6, 2023, depending on the actual foot traffic this holiday season.

The MMDA shall closely observe the foot traffic in malls until December 26. Provided that the foot traffic within the new Metro Manila mall hours is manageable, implemented restrictions shall be lifted earlier, according to Artes.

Artes also added that the shopping malls must submit their respective traffic management rules to the authorities. The MMDA shall study these reports and appropriately deploy enough manpower to implement the necessary traffic restrictions for the new NCR mall operations.

Shopping malls will also need to plan and finalize promotional sales and activities and mall events two weeks before the actual promos, activities, and events.

Grand sales in malls are also set to be limited during the weekends only. Mall purchase deliveries are only allowed from 11:00 PM to 5:00 AM. Deliveries involving perishable goods, groceries, and dining spots serving breakfast shall be exempted from this regulation.

Groceries and restaurants are also exempted from the new operating hours of malls in Metro Manila.

MMDA officially announced this policy on NCR mall operations and Metro Manila mall hours after a meeting with mall operators and stakeholders.

Recalling last 2021, the MMDA implemented the same adjustments about mall hours in Metro Manila to regulate overall traffic in many city areas, especially during the holiday season.

Currently, the number of vehicles moving in Metro Manila reaches an estimated 400,000, and the MMDA expects this number to increase, especially the number of cars passing through EDSA. Artes says they are doing whatever they can to reduce this traffic problem in the metro.

Excavation activities such as pipe laying, road reblocking, and road upgrading works happening on the national roads of Metro Manila are also suspended from November 14, 2022, to January 6, 2023. The exceptions include drainage improvement repairs and flagship projects that do not affect road traffic, bridge repairs, and construction works by the Department of Public Works and Highways. Also, flood interceptor projects, sidewalk improvements, and other emergency works, repairs, and overlay projects.

Visit Yoorekka Magazine for more shopping updates and guidelines in Metro Manila this holiday season!