MMDA suspends roadworks until 23 Dec.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will suspend road excavation works along national and city roads across Metro Manila from 1 November until midnight of 23 December 2026 to ease traffic congestion during the Christmas season.

Under MMDA Memorandum Circular 20, Series of 2026, certain government projects and emergency repairs are exempt from the suspension.

These include flagship projects, bridge construction and repairs, flood control projects, sidewalk improvements and select drainage works.

Emergency repairs on Manila Water and Maynilad pipelines, new water and electricity connections, and necessary Meralco relocation works are also allowed to proceed.

Other projects may continue subject to MMDA approval upon submission of the required application.

The agency urged concerned offices and contractors to comply with the guidelines to help ensure smoother traffic flow during the holiday season.

Meanwhile, passengers rushed to catch buses home to the provinces on Saturday.

At the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange, the largest land transport terminal in the Philippines, passenger traffic increased.

Routes to Bicol recorded the highest booking rate at 72 percent, followed by northern destinations at 65.21 percent and Mindoro at 62.5 percent.

Bookings for trips scheduled on 1 November stood at 29.45 percent.