PLAN your shopping.
Various shopping malls in Metro Manila will be extending their operating hours until midnight as Christmas approaches.
Interviewed by ABS-CBN, Miguel Gaspi, mall manager of SM North Edsa, revealed that they will be open until midnight from December 15 to December 23.
This is to provide the mall goers more time to shop and spend time with family and friends.
“Ngayon kasing week na ito, as it is, hanggang 11 tayo, but approaching next week na, starting December 15 hanggang December 23, extended na po tayo until 12 midnight,” Gaspi was quoted as saying.
“We have a lot in store for our customers. We have our Christmas centerpiece, this has a unique train ride experience, it is like traveling to Japan, Italy, UAE,” Gaspi added.
It was learned that Robinsons Malls, including Robinsons Manila and Robinsons Galleria, will also employ the same operating hours,with some of their branches open till midnight on specific dates.
“Robinsons Manila and Galleria, December 2 to 3, 8PM to 10PM. Dec 25 to 30, we operate from 10AM to 11PM. Dec 15, 18 to 22, we operate until 12MN,” Myron Lawrence Yao, Operations Director of Robinsons Malls said.
Ayala Malls on the other hand will stay open until 10 p.m., except on December 24 and 31 when they will close at 7 pm.
Earlier, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), anticipating that there will be an increased traffic congestion with Christmas approaching, particularly on weekdays and weekends.
“May kaunti pang pagbigat habang lumalapit ang kapaskuhan, lalong lalo na itong weekdays, weekends na darating. Itong pa-long weekend, madami ang magbabakasyon, yung mga palabas ng Metro Manila, lalong lalo na yung December 7,” MMDA Chairman Atty. Romando Artes said.
Likewise the MMDA said that motorists should expect heavier traffic on December 15 and 22, the last two weekends before Christmas, due to last-minute shopping and holiday preparations.
“Payday weekend po iyan, marami po magla-last minute shopping at ‘yung 22 naman po, iyon na po yung weekend going to Christmas,” Artes said.
