MMDA adjusts mall operating hours to 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. starting November 16

Shopping malls in Metro Manila will adjust their operating hours starting November 16 as the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) rolls out measures to ease traffic congestion during the holiday season.

Under the agreement between various mall operators and the MMDA, shopping malls will operate from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. from November 16 to December 25, 2026. The adjusted schedule will not apply on weekends and holidays.

Mall operators will also be required to limit delivery operations to 11 p.m. to 5 a.m., except for deliveries of perishable goods such as food and ice.

Mall-wide sales will only be allowed on weekends, while individual outlets inside shopping malls may hold weekday sales provided these are not promoted through announcements, advertisements, or tarpaulins.

Restaurants, supermarkets, and government service offices within mall premises will be exempted from the adjusted operating hours and may continue following their regular business schedules.

Meanwhile, cinemas will be allowed to open earlier on December 25 to accommodate the expected increase in moviegoers during Christmas Day.

According to MMDA, this measure is part of the MMDA's traffic management plan aimed at ensuring smoother traffic flow and preventing heavy congestion on major roads, particularly those surrounding shopping malls, amid the expected influx of shoppers and motorists during the Christmas season.

Nakipagpulong ang Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) sa iba’t ibang shopping mall operators upang talakayin ang mga hakbang para matiyak ang maayos na daloy ng trapiko sa Metro Manila ngayong nalalapit na Pasko. Alinsunod ito sa direktiba ni MMDA Chairman Atty. Don Artes na tiyakin ang maayos na daloy ng trapiko at maiwasan ang matinding pagsisikip sa mga pangunahing lansangan sa Metro Manila sa gitna ng inaasahang pagdagsa ng mga mamimili at motorista ngayong holiday season. Ipinrisinta ni MMDA Traffic Discipline Office Director Atty. Victor Nuñez ang mga traffic management measures na ipatutupad mula Nobyembre 16 hanggang Disyembre 25, 2026, upang maibsan ang pagsisikip ng trapiko, partikular sa mga pangunahing lansangan at lugar na nakapaligid sa mga shopping mall. Kabilang sa mga napagkasunduang hakbang ang pag-a-adjust ng operating hours ng mga shopping mall mula 11:00 ng umaga hanggang 11:00 ng gabi simula Nobyembre 16, 2026 hanggang Disyembre 25, 2026. Hindi naman sakop ng mall hours adjustment na ito ang weekends at holidays. Lilimitahan din ang delivery operations mula 11:00 ng gabi hanggang 5:00 ng madaling-araw, maliban sa deliveries ng perishable goods gaya ng pagkain at yelo. Kailangan ding magsumite ng mga mall operators ng kani-kanilang traffic management plan sa MMDA dalawang linggo bago ang kanilang nakatakdang mall sales at promotional events. Papayagan lamang ang mall-wide sales tuwing weekends. Maaari namang magsagawa ng sale ang mga indibidwal na outlets sa loob ng mga mall tuwing weekdays, hangga't sa walang anunsyo, advertisement, o tarpaulin na gagawin para rito. Mananatili naman sa kanilang regular na business hours at hindi sakop ng itinakdang operating hours adjustment ang mga restaurant, supermarket, at government services na matatagpuan sa loob ng mall premises. Bibigyan ng pagkakataon ang mga sinehan na magbukas nang mas maaga sa Disyembre 25, 2026, upang mas matugunan ang inaasahang pagdami ng mga manonood ng sine ngayong Pasko. Dumalo sa pulong ang mga kinatawan mula sa Ayala Malls, SM Malls, Ortigas Land, Robinsons Land, Araneta City, The Podium, Lucky Chinatown, at iba pang shopping mall operators. #mmda

— Official MMDA (@MMDA) November 10, 2026

— Jade Veronique Yap/LA, GMA News