MMDA wants malls to adjust 'Christmas' operating hours

MANILA, Philippines - If the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will have its way, shopping malls in the metro should operate in staggered hours during the holiday season.

MMDA chairman Francis Tolentino on Monday said that he would meet with mall operators this week to discuss the possibility of having malls operate on staggered hours to help lessen the volume of vehicular traffic.

Tolentino is suggesting that instead of the usual 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. operating hours being followed by most shopping malls, some malls could open earlier while
some malls could open later.

Tolentino even suggested that some malls open late in the day and close at midnight, like what shopping malls in Thailand and Singapore are doing.

"Dapat magkaroon ng synchronization of mall operating hours in such a way na hindi sila nagiging traffic generators," said Tolentino.

"'Pag ginawa po natin na sectional po 'yung adjustment eh makaka-adjust din po 'yung daloy ng trapiko in such a way na hindi sabay-sabay dadagsa 'yung mga nanonood ng sine, 'yung papasok sa eskwelahan sa loob ng mall, 'yung naggo-grocery, 'yung mga nagsho-shopping, 'di pa ho kasali dun 'yung mga nagwi-window shopping," he added.

Tolentino added that having staggered mall hours would help improve traffic flow in the streets which are expected to be clogged not only by shoppers but also by those going to Christmas parties.

"I have nothing against mall operations, ang sinasabi ko lang pwede naman hong mai-adjust natin 'yung oras lalong-lalo na ngayong Christmas rush, parating 'yung mag-Christmas party, expected po lahat 'yan," he said.

Meanwhile, the MMDA will also discuss security and traffic management concerns around the shopping malls with the various mall managers and operators.