Ulysses forces malls in NCR, Luzon to shut doors; parking fees waived

MANILA, Philippines — Some shopping mall chains in Luzon chose to either shut their doors or waived overnight parking charges for those seeking temporary shelter as Typhoon Ulysses (international name: Vamco) battered parts of Luzon, including Metro Manila, on Thursday.

In a Facebook post, Robinsons Malls announced that the following malls will be closed: Robinsons Place Antipolo, Robinsons Cainta, Robinsons Starmills Pampanga, Robinsons Angeles, Robinsons Place Malolos, Robinsons Tagaytay, Robinsons Luisita, and Robinsons Metro East.

https://www.facebook.com/RobinsonsMalls/posts/10158996526695762

Ayala Malls also announced that the following malls will be closed for Thursday: Ayala Malls Feliz, Ayala Malls Marikina, Ayala Malls Cloverleaf, Harbor Point, Marquee Mall.

https://www.facebook.com/AyalaMalls360/posts/10157846914043481

The mall chain also announced that overnight parking fees will be waived in areas severely affected by the storm.

Araneta City’s Gateway Mall, Ali Mall, and Farmers Plaza will be open from 12 noon to 8 p.m., but some stalls and shops may be closed due to bad weather conditions.

https://www.facebook.com/AranetaCity/posts/10158131390404032

SM Supermalls, in a Facebook post, said that aside from waiving overnight parking charges for Nov. 11, its malls in Luzon will be open to accommodate those seeking temporary shelter from Ulysses.

https://www.facebook.com/smsupermalls/posts/3543370399042499

Based on Pagasa’s latest forecast, Ulysses was last spotted at 85 kilometers west of Iba, Zambales, and packed maximum sustained winds of 130 kilometers per hour (kph)  near the center and gustiness of up to 200 kph, while moving 25 kph.

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 3 was hoisted over west of Pangasinan, Zambales, Bataan, Tarlac, and Pampanga, Pagasa said.

Meanwhile, other parts of Luzon, including Metro Manila, were placed under TCWS No. 2.

/MUF