MALLWIDE sales in the National Capital Region are prohibited during the holidays, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority said.

However, Gabriel Go, chief of the MMDA Special Operations Group Strike Force said that during the holidays, individual stores can do sales, but sans the major promotions.

Go said this is meant to ease traffic congestion ahead of the Christmas rush. 

“Outlet sales on the premises are allowed as long as there are no announcements,” he said.

On November 18, adjusted mall hours in Metro Manila started in a bid to ease traffic congestion during the Christmas season.

The MMDA and mall operators agreed to adjust mall hours, meaning 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 closing time would be at the discretion of the mall operators.

Artes added that the new mall hours were agreed upon by the representatives of SM Supermalls and Robinsons Malls.

Also, Artes said 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, of which 29 are located along EDSA, would be adjusted.

The malls are also expected to 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 use highways in Metro Manila up until the holiday season.