MMDA: Heaviest traffic expected on December 18

MANILA, Philippines  — With no immediate solution in sight to the high volume of vehicles on the road, authorities asked motorists for patience over the worsening Metro Manila traffic situation ahead of the December holidays.

Emerson Carlos, chairperson of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), said Friday that vehicles amassed in areas around shopping establishments affect major thoroughfares such as EDSA especially during rush hours.

Carlos said the agency also expects traffic to be even heavier as Christmas day draws nearer.

Traffic will most likely be heaviest on December 18, the last Friday before Christmas day, as well as on December 23 when shoppers are expected to do their last-minute purchases, he said.

The MMDA and 15 major shopping malls signed a manifesto to extend mall operating hours and help ease traffic in December, agreeing to operate major malls from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. from December 1 to January 3.

RELATED: Metro Manila malls to extend operating hours for holiday season

Robinsons malls, SM Malls, Ayala Malls, Shangri-La Plaza, Farmers Plaza, Gateway Mall, Greenfield Development Corp., Eastwood City, The Podium, Eton Centris and Walter Mart malls agreed to extend operating hours.

"This has been a yearly practice for us to sign this agreement in order to ease vehicular and pedestrian traffic during the holiday season," Carlos said.