NCR malls agree to extend operating hours as mayors mull easing curfew — MMDA
MANILA, Philippines — Metro Manila Development Authority chairman Benhur Abalos on Monday said malls in the capital region have agreed to extend their operating hours in time for the holiday season.
"Last week, we spoke to mall operators...all of them, to ask that instead of [operating] from 10 [a.m.] to 8 [p.m.], they make it 11 [a.m.] to 11 [.pm.] or even 12 [p.m.] at that," Abalos told DZMM Teleradyo in an interview conducted partially in Filipino.
Abalos said the mall operators also agreed to stop having sales during ordinary weekdays and to have them on the weekends instead. He said this was to further prevent traffic on EDSA which has been seeing an increase in the volume of vehicles nearing pre-pandemic levels.
Mall owners raised, however, their concern for workers who might struggle to return home if they extend operating hours despite the limited capacity for public transport and curfew in the region which is implemented from 12 a.m. to 4 a.m.
Abalos said the first concern was already addressed by the pandemic task force which recently allowed public utility vehicles to increase their passenger capacity to 70%.
Meanwhile, the further easing of curfew hours is up to Metro Manila mayors who are already voting on the matter.
"After they vote, I have to draft the resolution. And then, they will have to sign it, by e-signature, each of them." Abalos said.
He added that the final resolution would be out in "about one or two days." — Bella Perez-Rubio
Follow this thread for updates on COVID-19 risk levels, safety measures, and data from Metro Manila's local government units.
Photo: The STAR/Michael Varcas
Supreme Court suspends work from 12:30 p.m. on May 12 for disinfection of premises "in view of the increasing number of COVID-19 cases."
Senate President Migz Zubiri says that the whole Senate building will be placed under lockdown until Tuesday next week for thorough cleaning and disinfection.
This came after seven senators and some staff of the Senate tested positive for COVID-19.
Senate President Migz Zubiri says Sen. Grace Poe is recovering from COVID-19 and is not present at the Senate plenary session today. She is the fourth senator to catch the coronavirus in the past two weeks. — Franco Luna
Senate President Migz Zubiri says Sen. Cynthia Villar tested positive for COVID-19. She is third senator to test positive for the virus following Sens. Alan Peter Cayetano and Imee Marcos -- Philstar.com/Xave Gregorio
Daily growth rate in the National Capital Region is down to 2% from 3% of the previous day, according to OCTA Research.
OCTA Research fellow Guido David says the capital region could be close to the peak in new cases or the region has reached its limits in testing capacity.
NCR daily growth rate just 2%. The NCR could be close to the peak in new cases, or the NCR has reached its limits in testing capacity. @dzbb @dzrhnews @allangatus @News5PH @DZAR1026 @NewsRmn @dwiz882 @dzme_1530khz @EagleNews @ABSCBNNews @sofiatomacruz @PhilstarNews @haydeesampang pic.twitter.com/qkSPVvyf6e
— Dr. Guido David (@iamguidodavid) January 16, 2022
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