MMDA asks for patience for heaviest traffic on Dec. 19

MANILA, Philippines - The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Wednesday appealed to commuters and motorists to be extra patient during the holiday rush as it expects the traffic situation to be at its worst on Friday, December 19.

MMDA Chair Francis Tolentino said the agency expects traffic flow in Metro Manila, especially at the vicinity of shopping malls, to be extra thick tomorrow with people expected to do their last minute shopping - being the last Friday before Christmas Day.

Tolentino said the traffic flow is not only heavy on EDSA but also on roads leading to shopping malls and other commercial establishments.

Earlier, operators of shopping malls have agreed to the MMDA’s proposal for the implementation of staggered operating hours to help ease road congestion, especially during rush hours during the holiday season.

Over the holiday period, shopping malls will open at 11 a.m. and close at 11 p.m. The new operating hours will be effective until Jan. 3, 2015.

Meanwhile, shopping malls on December 24 and December 31 will open at 12 noon and will close at 7 p.m.

On Christmas Day (December 25) and New Year's Day (January 1), the malls will be open from noon to 8 p.m., the MMDA said.

Meanwhile, Tolentino said the MMDA has already deployed an additional 443 traffic enforcers to help untangle traffic jams, especially around shopping malls.

According to the MMDA, traffic volume along EDSA and the other major roads near shopping centers increases by some 15 to 20 percent between November and December.

Tolentino also earlier asked Transport Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya to consider extending the operating hours of the Metro Rail Transit during the Christmas period to 11:30 pm to accommodate the larger number of people going out to do their shopping.

The MRT line serves 13 stations along EDSA and passes through Quezon City, Mandaluyong, Makati and Pasay.

However, the DOTC denied the request saying it is not necessary.

“We just wanted to help the people who are going home late because of the Christmas rush, but unfortunately they rejected us,” Tolentino said.