MANILA, Philippines – The Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said Tuesday that the adjusted mall operating hours in the National Capital Region (NCR) will only be temporary and will depend on the traffic situation in Metro Manila after Christmas.

“We will observe the traffic situation in the metropolis on December 26. If the traffic is normal and manageable, we will immediately lift the restrictions and announce it to the public,” said Lawyer Romando Artes, acting MMDA chairman, in a statement.

Mall owners starting November 14, 2022, until January 06, 2023, will operate from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. to lessen traffic congestion during the peak season in the metro.

Artes said the agency asked mall owners to adjust their operations to reduce anticipated worsening traffic bottlenecks this Christmas season.

The MMDA also announced the temporary suspension of excavation activities along national roads in Metro Manila during the said date.

“We will make a further study on their traffic management plan,” Artes said in a statement. We will deploy a necessary number of traffic enforcers to man the traffic.”