THE adjusted mall hours started to take effect on Monday, in a bid to ease traffic congestion during the Christmas season.

Earlier, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and mall operators had agreed to adjust mall hours.

This meant that instead of 10 a.m., shopping malls will open at 11 a.m. from Nov. 18 to Dec. 25,.

MMDA Chairman Romando Artes said that the closing time will be at the discretion of the mall operators.

The said new hours were agreed upon by the representatives of SM Supermalls and Robinsons Malls.

Artes had said that the agency opted to reinstate measures to prevent Metro Manila roads from becoming “massive parking lots” during the Christmas season.

This means that the opening hours of 131 shopping malls in Metro Manila would be adjusted. 

Of the said number, 29 of them are located along EDSA.

The malls are also expected to also enforce a limited schedule of deliveries, except those carrying perishable goods. This will now run from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. including avoiding mall-wide sales.

The MMDA estimates that 500,000 vehicles will traverse highways in Metro Manila leading to the holiday season.