HPG to augment MMDA traffic staff

We need additional traffic enforcers to improve our traffic management efforts

The Highway Patrol Group (HPG) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) has pledged to provide 180 of its men to augment the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) workforce that is assigned to man traffic on EDSA and Commonwealth Avenue.

Benhur Abalos, MMDA chairperson, said he sought assistance from the PNP on issues concerning traffic management in the National Capital Region, particularly the lack of traffic enforcers.

Abalos said he met with P/Lt. Col. Joshua Alejandro, PNP-HPG NCR head.

On the other hand, the MMDA chief said the agency is hiring additional traffic enforcers to supplement the existing personnel.

Hiring is expected to be completed within three months.

“We need additional traffic enforcers to improve our traffic management efforts,” Abalos said.

The MMDA currently has a total of 2,187 traffic enforcers manning major Metro Manila thoroughfares. Of this total, 25 percent are senior citizens.

Teroy Taguinod, MMDA Traffic Discipline Office head, said those in the vulnerable sector, like senior citizens, pregnant women and those with medical conditions, are exempted from reporting for work due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Those who are not reporting for work include 64 senior citizens, 25 individuals with comorbidities and six pregnant women.

“To provide economic relief and for humanitarian consideration, we will allow relatives of said traffic enforcers, who are senior citizens, to apply and submit their applications, provided that they will be able to pass the examination and training requirements,” Abalos stressed.