Adjusted mall hours start next week

From Nov. 16 to Dec. 25, malls are open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on weekdays.

BY-NC-ND / Jurgen Proschinger / Mall

MANILA, Philippines —Mall operators in the capital will adjust operating hours to ease holiday traffic, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said yesterday.

From Nov. 16 to Dec. 25, malls are open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on weekdays.

The adjusted mall hours will not take effect on holidays.

Mall deliveries will be limited from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m., MMDA Chairman Romando Artes said.

“Nighttime delivery will only be allowed. Perishable goods will be allowed during regular time,” he noted.

Ayala Malls, SM Malls, Ortigas Land, Robinsons Land, Araneta City, The Podium, Lucky Chinatown and other shopping mall operators made the agreement, he said.

Mall-wide sales will not be allowed except on weekends, the MMDA said.

“Individual outlets within malls may conduct sales on weekdays, provided that no announcements, advertisements or tarpaulins are made to promote them,” the agency added.

Mall operators are required to submit a traffic management plan to the MMDA two weeks before mall sales or promotional events, Artes said.

Restaurants, supermarkets and government services within mall premises will not be included in the extended operating hours.

Cinemas may operate at an earlier time on Dec. 25 to accommodate film audiences.