‘Change mall operating hours’

MANILA, Philippines–In anticipation of heavy traffic during the holiday rush, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said that it would ask mall operators to temporarily adjust their operating hours.

MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino suggested that malls in one area could operate from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. while those in other places may open later during the day until midnight.

Tolentino said the scheme was being practiced in Bangkok and Singapore. “I have nothing against mall operations; I am just looking at the possibility of adjusting the operating hours especially during the Christmas rush,” he said.–Maricar B. Brizuela