The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has rolled out traffic mitigation measures to ease expected congestion during the Christmas season, following a consultative meeting with shopping mall representatives and other stakeholders on Friday.

MMDA Chairman Attorney Don Artes received unanimous support from representatives of shopping mall management, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and utility companies for the agency’s comprehensive traffic-alleviating measures.

Under the new guidelines:

• Shopping mall operators must submit their traffic management plans to the MMDA at least two weeks before their scheduled sales or promotional events.

• Deliveries to malls will be limited to nighttime hours, from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. on weekdays, except for perishable goods such as food and ice.

• Mall-wide sales are allowed only on weekends. However, individual store sales may be held on weekdays as long as no public announcements or advertisements are made.

• Mall operating hours will be adjusted to 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on weekdays.

The MMDA also announced a temporary suspension of all excavation activities on national and city roads in Metro Manila. This includes road reblocking, pipe-laying, road upgrading, and similar works that could disrupt traffic flow.

Exempted from the moratorium are flagship government projects, DPWH bridge repair and construction, flood interceptor catchment projects, and emergency repair works.

Artes said these measures have proven effective in managing the increased vehicular volume during the holiday season.

“The Christmas season brings with it a 10 to 25 percent increase in vehicular volume in Metro Manila roads. By implementing these measures, we aim to provide a more manageable traffic flow for the holidays,” Artes said.

The measures will take effect on 17 November and remain in force until 25 December.

From 20 December, provincial buses will be allowed to traverse EDSA between 10 p.m. and 05 a.m. From 24 December to 02 January, provincial buses may use EDSA round-the-clock to improve turnaround time and accommodate more passengers.

During this period, provincial buses from the north will terminate trips in Cubao, Quezon City, while those from the south will end in Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange or Pasay City.

Starting 17 November, the MMDA will also extend the night-shift duty of traffic enforcers along major thoroughfares until midnight.

The agency will coordinate with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and transport groups to extend the operating hours of the EDSA Bus Carousel, LRT, MRT, and public utility vehicles to accommodate late-night commuters and mall workers.

The MMDA will also intensify the No Contact Apprehension Policy (NCAP) and clearing operations to maintain traffic discipline throughout the holiday season.