luhoplay MMDA: No mall-wide sale ban
MANILA, Philippines — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority on Tuesday clarified that the MMDA did not impose a ban on mall-wide sales to ease traffic congestion during the Christmas season.
During a hearing of the Senate committee on public services, traffic enforcement group director Victor Nuñez said MMDA Chairman Romando Artes held a meeting with mall operators on Oct. 17 to discuss measures aimed at alleviating traffic jams in the metropolis.
These measures include adjusting mall hours from 11 a.m. to midnight between Nov. 18 and Dec. 25 as well as limiting deliveries to malls between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.
Nuñez said the representatives of shopping malls agreed to avoid scheduling sales simultaneously.
“We never banned mall-wide sales. There’s no black and white on this. We don’t even have penalties for conducting these activities,” he said, emphasizing that the MMDA’s role is primarily advisory.
Nuñez appealed to mall operators to coordinate with the MMDA at least two weeks before conducting sales and to provide the agency with a traffic management plan.luhoplay