Camille Naredo

Motorists endure heavy traffic along EDSA in Guadalupe, Kamati on December 22, 2023. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File

Motorists endure heavy traffic along EDSA in Guadalupe, Kamati on December 22, 2023. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

TRAFFIC

Francis Orcio

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/176537869993120231222-christmas-traffic-edsa-MT-4 (1).jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Motorists endure heavy traffic along EDSA in Guadalupe, Kamati on December 22, 2023. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File" width="960"/>Motorists endure heavy traffic along EDSA in Guadalupe, Kamati on December 22, 2023. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File</div>MANILA -- Two weeks before Christmas Eve, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is grappling with rapidly worsening traffic congestion across Metro Manila, with vehicle volume on EDSA alone again breaching 450,000. This number exceeds the highway’s 250,000-vehicle capacity.MMDA said the surge is expected during the holiday season, but current volumes mirror the same week last year when traffic on EDSA reached similar levels.In a Palace-led media briefing on Wednesday morning, MMDA Chairman Romando Artes said the agency is coordinating with several local governments to manage the influx of vehicles and implement measures aimed at easing gridlock.<div><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2025/12/7/heavy-traffic-snarls-marcos-sumulong-highways-in-antipolo-0911">Heavy traffic snarls Marcos, Sumulong highways in Antipolo</a></div>“Ginagawan naman po natin ng paraan. May mga adjustments po tayong ginagawa, lalo na iyong clearing ng Mabuhay lanes. It&#x27;s just that, talaga pong sobra iyong volume, kaya nga po ini-encourage po natin ang ating mga kababayan na gumamit ng bus carousel at MRT at LRT,&quot; said Artes.Artes further emphasized that the MMDA has intensified road clearing operations, particularly along the designated Mabuhay Lanes, while pushing for proposals such as extending MRT and LRT operating hours and discouraging mall-wide sales during peak holiday weeks.He clarified that the MMDA is not blaming mall operators for the heavy traffic. Instead, the agency is appealing to them to postpone mall-wide sales this month, noting that such events draw a significant number of shoppers and worsen congestion.“Hindi naman po natin sinisisi ang mga mall owners. Ang sinasabi lang po natin, pinakikiusapan po natin sila, na kung maaari, ay huwag pong mag mall-wide sale, dahil nagca-cause ng sobrang bigat ng daloy ng traffic,&quot; he explained.Artes cited last weekend’s gridlock along Marcos Highway as a clear example.The standstill, he said, was triggered by overlapping mall sales in Rizal, coinciding with a rush of commuters and motorists.<div><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/weather-traffic/2025/12/4/metro-manila-council-rolls-out-holiday-traffic-measures-0025">Metro Manila Council rolls out holiday traffic measures</a></div>“Pinagbabawal po natin ang mall sale dito sa Kamaynilaan (Metro Manila). Iyon po iyong reason, dahil sa may parteng Rizal ay mga nag-mall sale, nagkasabay-sabay iyong paglabas [ng mga tao],&quot; Artes added.On Tuesday, the MMDA held a coordination meeting with the local governments of Marikina, Pasig, Quezon City, Cainta, and Antipolo to prevent a repeat of the Marcos Highway incident and to synchronize traffic management strategies during the remaining holiday weeks.The MMDA is also working with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) regarding operations against overweight trucks.Artes said they requested a moratorium from DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon due to issues arising from large trucks converging with regular motorists on major roads.He noted that non-aligned truck bans across LGUs have led to trucks being stranded at boundaries and parking along roadways, further contributing to heavy traffic.“Hindi po kasi coordinated iyong mga truck ban sa mga LGUs, so, kinausap na po natin sila na dapat coordinated. Kasi ang nangyari po, iyong mga naipit [na truck], na hindi makapasok sa LGUs, ay pumarada sa kalsada na nagkaroon din ng pagsisikip,&quot; Artes said.

Two weeks before Christmas Eve, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is grappling with rapidly worsening traffic congestion across Metro Manila, with vehicle volume on EDSA alone again breaching 450,000, far exceeding the highway’s 250,000-vehicle capacity.

Two weeks before Christmas Eve, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is grappling with rapidly worsening traffic congestion across Metro Manila, with vehicle volume on EDSA alone again breaching 450,000, far exceeding the highway’s 250,000-vehicle capacity.

MMDA appeals for less car use, no mall-wide sales to ease traffic ahead of Christmas

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MMDA appeals for less car use, no mall-wide sales to ease traffic ahead of Christmas

Francis Orcio,

ABS-CBN News

Published Dec 11, 2025 12:13 AM PHT

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