The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) clarified Wednesday, December 10, that mall wide sales contributed to heavy traffic along Marcos Highway, particularly from malls outside MMDA’s jurisdiction.
In a press briefing by the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), MMDA Chairman Don Artes said, “‘Yong sa nangyari naman po sa Marcos Highway, nagkasabay-sabay po ‘yong sale doon po sa mga malls na outside ng jurisdiction ng MMDA. Kung inyo pong matatandaan, pinagbabawal po natin ng mall sale dito po sa Kamaynilaan. So ‘yon po ‘yong reason—dahil po dito sa may parking Rizal may mga nag-mall sale, nagkasabay-sabay po ‘yong paglabas at nabulunan po.”
Artes added that the MMDA has coordinated with local government units (LGUs) regarding mall wide sales because of their impact on traffic.
“Ganoon din po, kinausap na po natin ‘yong mga LGUs regarding mall-wide sale. Dapat po siguro ipagbawal din muna po dahil nagkataon po pagkasara po ng mall, sabay-sabay pong naglabasan—na talaga naman pong naging dahilan ng sobrang bigat na daloy ng traffic,” he said.
He emphasized that the MMDA is not blaming mall owners.
“Unang-una po, hindi naman po natin sinisisi ang mga mall owner. Ang sinasabi lang po natin, pinakikiusapan po natin sila na kung maaari ay huwag pong mag-mall wide sale dahil nga po nagca-cause po talaga ng sobrang bigat na daloy ng traffic… So ‘yan po ay pakiusap natin sa mga mall owners na kanila naman pong tinutugunan… So, hindi naman po natin sinisisi,” Artes explained.
He added that malls can still hold sales on a per-store basis: “Hindi po namin pinagbabawal or pinakikiusap na ipagbawal ‘yong sale. Ang sinasabi lang po namin, huwag sabay-sabay na buong mall ay sale. So, on a first store basis, puwede pa rin pong mag-sale.”
Artes also revealed that during the first and second weeks of December, traffic on EDSA reaches nearly 450,000 vehicles, exceeding its 250,000-vehicle capacity.