I-ACT to ban weekday mall sale in Metro Manila starting October

Starting October 21, 2016, Metro Manila shopping malls are banned from holding sale events during weekdays. This was announced by the Inter-Agency Council on Traffic (I-ACT), through the Department of Transportation (DOTr)’s official Twitter account.

According to a report by the Philippine Star, the new policy was conceived during a meeting with I-ACT and representatives of major shopping malls in Metro Manila. It aims to ease the expected heavy traffic situation near malls this holiday season, which aggravates when sale events come up.

I-ACT chief traffic officer Senior Supt. Antonio Gardiola said that mall sale events are among the major causes of traffic congestions. Limiting them to weekends could help by not inducing traffic as it won’t coincide with regular road users during weekdays.

With that said, Gardiola stated that mall sale will only be allowed from 12:00 m.n. of Saturdays to 11:59 p.m. of Sundays.

The no-weekday-sale policy will take effect until January 9, 2017. Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) general manager Tim Orbos added that mall operators who have already scheduled mall sales before October 21 will be allowed to proceed.

I-ACT is an organization that centers on addressing traffic-related issues. It’s comprised of the Department of Transportation, Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG), Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Land Transportation Office (LTO), and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).