MMDA to recommend new working hours for Metro Manila national government agencies to lessen traffic

The Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is planning to recommend adjusted working hours in Metro Manila national government agencies (NGAs) to ease traffic during rush hour. 

During its regular meeting on Thursday, Jan. 16, the agency, alongside the Metro Manila Council (MMC), announced that they are planning to recommend to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. the new working hours of 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. to ease the traffic. 

“Mayroon na tayong traditional rush hour, kung one hour ahead ka parati sa rush hour, you do not hit the peak of the volume of cars. So iwas ka ng isang oras (sa traffic) sa pagpasok at pag uwi,” said San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora. 

According to their data, an estimated 223,508, or 47% of the 473,533 NGA employees in NCR, alongside private-sector employees will avoid the rush hour with the proposed work hours. 

MMDA Acting Chairman Atty. Don Artes added that they will submit the recommendations to the Office of the President once they get the consensus from all Metro Manila mayors.

Other than the comprehensive traffic management plan, MMDA said that they are also coordinating closely with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Transportation (DOTr), and other government agencies on minimizing the traffic amid the ongoing respective projects, including the EDSA rehabilitation set for this year.