Traffic flows along the northbound section of Mindanao Avenue in Quezon City on January 12, 2025.  Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News 

MANILA — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority said on Thursday it would recommend to the Office of the President the adoption of the modified work schedule from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. in all national government agencies.

MMDA chairman Atty. Romando Artes said that based on a study conducted by in some LGUs that participated, the traffic volume and travel speed along major thoroughfares in Metro Manila have increased by at least 17.68 percent and 4.6 percent, respectively.

MMDA data showed the historical traffic volume in Metro Manila in 2019 or before the pandemic was around 3 million vehicles per day and it increased to around 3.6 million vehicles per day in 2023.

In 2019, the travel speed was recorded at 23.38 kph during peak hours and it improved to 24.46 kph in 2023.

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However, Artes admitted that the effects on major thoroughfares that include radial and circumferential roads showed minor improvement in travel time and speed with variations ranging from 1 to 3 percent. 

According to MMDA data, the travel speed after the implementation of the modified work schedule has increased by 3.69 percent in Metro Manila.

“Dahil hindi po namin nakasama lahat ng NGAs (national government agency), selected lang po yung sumama," Artes said. 

"Sumunod naman po lahat ng LGUS… May improvement eh kaso limited yung scope nung improvement dun sa malapit sa city hall or within a particular city."

The MMDA said it would likely to submit a report to the Office of the President.

“Sa aming palagay kung lahat po ng national government agency ay mag-i-implement ng 7 [a.m.] to 4 [p.m.] ay doon po mararamdaman talaga yung magandang epekto nito. Halos kalahating milyon po ang empleyado ng national government agencies dito sa Metro Manila,” Artes said.

“Dun sa mga nagko-commute malaki din ang epekto dahil hindi po sila nasasabay doon sa rush hour foot traffic ng nasa pribado kay may improvement naman po both sa motorist and sa pagbiyahe ng mga empleyado,” he added.

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Also present during the regular Metro Manila Council (MMC) meeting at the MMDA office in Pasig City were San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora and Pasay City Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano. Both of them expressed full support to adopt the modified work schedule.

“Ako po pabor sa 7 to 4- meron na tayong traditional rush hour, kung 1 hour ahead ka sa rush hour….iwas ka ng 1 oras both sa pagpasok at pag-uwi… Pabor ako lalo na may mga eskuwela din…yung oras din ng pasok ng city hall ay mas iwas ngayon dun sa pasok ng eskuwela,” Zamora said.

“Sanay na ang mga empleyado na pumasok ng 7 to 4, at ganon din maiintindihan na ma-hit yung rush hour, mas madali silang makauwi. May konti kaming natitira na empleyado kasi merona kong pinapapsok na 8…para yung iba pang nangailangan ng serbisyo ay hindi talaga tapos ng 4 p.m.,” Calixto-Rubiano added.

Artes said that before submitting its recommendations to the president, it will get the consensus of the majority of MMC members.

“Will get the consensus of the Mayor…ask them kung ano yung kanilang preference, para kumpleto yun datos na isa-submit natin sa pangulo,” Artes said.

The Metro Manila local governments started the modified working schedule in the first quarter of 2024 to ease traffic congestion in the region.