Change mall operating hours during Apec meet, lawmaker suggests to MMDA

A METRO Manila lawmaker has proposed a change in mall hours during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Leaders’ Meeting as part of efforts to decongest traffic in the capital.

Valenzuela Rep. Sherwin Gatchalian, a senatorial candidate of the Nationalist People’s Coalition, asked the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to forge an agreement with mall owners to change their operating hours.

“It is crucial that the MMDA coordinate with malls to control the flow of a possibly large number of shoppers traversing Edsa and other major thoroughfares to ensure smooth traffic while delegates attend Apec events in the country,” Gatchalian said.

The senior vice chair of the House committee on Metro Manila development noted that work in the public sector had already been declared suspended from Nov. 17 to 20, and in the private sector, from Nov. 18 to 19.

Classes in all levels in Metro Manila are also suspended from Nov. 17 to 20.

“With the announcement of the nonworking holiday, people will likely go to malls with the event scheduled closely with pay day on the 15th and given the lack of green and safe public spaces like parks in Metro Manila,” Gatchalian said.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte earlier encouraged families to travel outside Metro Manila, considering the venue of APEC-related activities was the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City.

But Gatchalian said this was not an option for many Metro Manila residents who would only get two days off.