Manila, July 9 -- The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Thursday asked shopping malls to offer free overnight parking to the public in anticipation of heavy rainfall in Metro Manila and neighboring areas due to the effects of Typhoon Inday (international name Bavi) and the enhanced southwest monsoon.

In a media interview at the MMDA headquarters in Pasig City, MMDA Chair Romando Artes said the agency coordinated with mall operators to allow residents, especially those in flood-prone areas, to park their vehicles overnight in mall parking areas for safekeeping.

"Mas safe na po na siguro, especially yung mga valuables niyo po na pwedeng mabasa sa tuwid baha, ilagay sa kotse at mag-park na po dito sa ating mga malls (It ...