July 16, 2021

Holiday Rush 2018: Things You Should Know About the Craze in the Metro

The holiday season is upon us, and although we are all expecting numerous promos and discounts from our favorite establishments, we can’t avoid the looming traffic particularly during rush hours.

The typical holiday rush hours last from 4 p.m. up to 8 p.m., but the traffic could go on for the whole day during weekends. Some Filipinos usually go to nearby malls, especially those who do not have enough patience to get stuck in traffic. It’s quite normal to see them walking home instead of using cars or public transportation.

If it’s your first time to spend the holidays in the country, here’s a guide to prepare you for the holiday rush this November to January:

Traffic

We can’t stress this any better–the traffic can take all your patience during the holiday rush, especially because it’s everywhere you go.

Fortunately, for this year’s Undas season, the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will enforce over 2,000 traffic personnel to guide traffic-prone areas in the metro from morning to evening, particularly along major cemeteries such as Manila North in Manila City, Manila South in Makati City, Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina City, Bagbag Public Cemetery in Quezon City, and Manila Memorial Park in Parañaque City.

The number coding scheme will be lifted off on November 1 and 2, so although this may be convenient for car owners, the traffic may double up during these days. There will be traffic re-routing schemes that will be implemented in some localities as well.

Also read: Commuting Tips in the Philippines

As for November 5 to January 14, shopping mall operators will deploy more security personnel to facilitate potential traffic caused by long lines in parking areas. Also, deliveries of non-perishable goods during said dates will only take place at night from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. Hopefully, these actions will lessen the traffic during the craze.

Expect some road closures along some areas in the metro. Transportation can also stress you out, because the majority of public transportation may get too crowded. Taxis and Grab fares can have crazy surge prices. If you’re going to commute, prepare alternative plans to go home, or you can always walk if it’s just a few minutes away from your place.

Also read: 5 Useful Navigation Apps Available in the Philippines

If you are driving, Waze can be helpful to know the alternate routes with lesser traffic. To stay updated with the latest traffic news happening around the metro, you may follow relevant social media accounts such as MMDA, NLEX, and more.

Also read: Traffic Update Portals Where You Can Get Metro Manila Traffic Information

Activities

Expect people rushing to shopping malls, especially families and groups of friends. Aside from the shopping offers, there are other activities that you can participate in, such as Halloween, Christmas and New Year’s Eve parties, night markets, workshops, and of course, the annual list of amazing films screened during Christmas.

Should you want to stay a bit off the grid, you may try other outdoor activities, such as visiting Ayala Triangle’s Festival of Lights or Nuvali’s Magical Field of Lights that are usually lit as early as November. It’s a good way to avoid the traffic on the way to malls, and yet still be embraced by the holiday magic.

Also read:

Mall hours

From November 5 to January 14, all SM Supermalls, Ayala Malls, and Robinsons Malls located along traffic-prone highways will open at 11 a.m., instead of the usual mall opening hours of 10 a.m. This agreement by the MMDA and said companies will affect about 15 shopping malls along EDSA alone. The closing hours depend on the said local malls. You may check the malls’ official announcements for the opening and closing to be sure.

Holiday season is all about left and right promos and discounts, so expect a lot of mall sales where you can score cheap prices at your favorite establishments. However, there will be a “no weekday sale policy” that will be implemented on the said dates as to lessen the traffic during work days.

Undoubtedly, holiday rush can also equate to traffic, but this shouldn’t stop you from going out to shop or bond with your families and friends. Just have enough patience to survive long hours in the middle of traffic, and you’re good to go!

Written by Yana Bautista
Source: MMDA