MMDA Urges Malls to Limit Sales as Marcos Highway Traffic Worsens

After traffic along Marcos Highway ground to a near standstill last weekend, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority is urging shopping mall owners to stop holding mall-wide sales during the holiday season, saying these events worsen congestion.

On December 6, motorists travelling along Marcos Highway, which links Cainta, Antipolo, Marikina, Pasig and nearby areas, were stuck in heavy traffic for hours. Some commuters chose to walk long stretches instead of remaining trapped on the road.

MMDA said simultaneous mall-wide sales in Rizal contributed to the surge of vehicles. MMDA chair Don Artes explained that when malls close, shoppers leave all at once, adding to already busy roads.

At a briefing, Artes clarified that the agency is not blaming mall owners and has no plans to ban discounts or store-level promos. The request is simply to avoid multiple malls holding large sales at the same time.

Still, many commuters are left frustrated. Traffic often becomes heavy even on regular days, making it clear that the problem might not just be the timing of sales.

Image credit: SM Mall of Asia Official | Facebook

Also read: 7 Places in Metro Manila for Your Last Minute Christmas Shopping

New Measures for Holiday Traffic

MMDA is also stepping up efforts this holiday season. Traffic Enforcement Group Director Victor Nunez said mall operators planning weekend-wide sales must submit a traffic management plan to the MMDA at least two weeks in advance.

“Kung mag weekend sale sila na mall-wide sale, dapat mayroon silang traffic management plan at isa-submit nila ito sa amin sa MMDA at least two weeks bago ang mall-wide sale, (If they want to hold a weekend mall-wide sale, they should have a traffic management plan and submit it to us at the MMDA at least two weeks before the sale,)” Nunez told radio DZBB.

This enables MMDA to coordinate with local traffic enforcement units, plan alternate routes, and ensure traffic flow remains manageable.

MMDA has already put several measures in place to help manage traffic this holiday season. Weekday mall-wide sales are now prohibited, and mall deliveries are only allowed between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Mall operating hours have also been adjusted, running from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. instead of the previous 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. To keep traffic moving, around 2,400 traffic enforcers will be deployed along major roads. The agency is also coordinating with local government units to implement uniform truck ban hours.

Nunez noted that traffic volume is expected to grow heavier as Christmas nears. The agency recorded 429,000 vehicles along EDSA and expects the number to increase in the coming weeks.

Image credit: Canva Pro | Rockwell, Makati, Philippines

Also read: Philippines Ranked #1 Best Country in the World for Christmas Celebrations

After the incident, the Department of Public Works and Highways temporarily suspended its Anti-Truck Overloading Mobile Enforcement operations along Marcos Highway to help improve traffic flow.

For Filipinos who endured the Marcos Highway traffic jam, the situation feels familiar. Another traffic mess, another appeal, and another suggestion that seems to avoid long-term solutions.

Commuters get stuck in traffic even on regular days, not just during the holidays. Are mall-wide sales really the reason for Marcos Highway congestion, or should the MMDA have planned better for heavy traffic all year round?