ILOILO City – Several major malls in Iloilo have revised their business hours starting March 30, 2026, as part of efforts to support the national government’s push to conserve energy amid ongoing concerns over power supply and rising fuel costs.
Among those implementing new schedules are Festive Walk Iloilo, SM City Iloilo, Robinsons Iloilo and Robinsons Jaro, Gaisano Capital outlets, and Vista Mall Iloilo. Most establishments have trimmed weekday operating hours while slightly extending weekend schedules to accommodate shoppers.
Festive Walk Iloilo will now operate from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays and until 9 p.m. on weekends. SM City Iloilo adjusted its hours to 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. from Monday to Friday, with extended operations until 10 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Its supermarket will open earlier at 9 a.m. on weekends.
Robinsons Iloilo and Robinsons Jaro adopted similar weekday hours from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., while opening earlier on weekends. Gaisano Capital branches, meanwhile, set earlier closing times ranging from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., depending on location. Vista Mall Iloilo opted for a consistent schedule of 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.
The move follows the issuance of Memorandum Circular No. 114, series of 2026, by the Office of the President, which calls for energy conservation measures across sectors. While primarily directed at government offices, the directive also encourages private businesses to reduce electricity consumption through operational adjustments.
The policy is part of a broader response to global energy pressures that continue to affect fuel prices and power supply stability in the country.
Across Western Visayas, institutions have begun adopting similar measures, including compressed workweeks, remote work arrangements, and reduced facility usage to lower energy demand.
Mall operators said the updated schedules aim to maintain service availability while contributing to nationwide efforts to manage electricity consumption. They also assured customers that weekend extensions will help offset reduced weekday hours.
Authorities continue to urge the public to support conservation initiatives, stressing that cooperation from both businesses and consumers is key to addressing the current energy situation./PN
