THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Monday reimplemented its heat stroke break policy for traffic enforcers and street sweepers.
The breaks aim to protect field personnel from extreme heat while keeping traffic management and road-clearing operations uninterrupted.
The policy took effect on Monday and will remain in force until May 31.
There will be 30-minute heat stroke breaks for field personnel assigned along major thoroughfares during the hot months when they are exposed to prolonged heat while doing their duties.
MMDA said the breaks would be implemented alternately among personnel assigned in the same area, so visibility on the ground and field operations would not be hampered.
Traffic aides, metro aides and street sweepers will follow specific break windows, depending on their shifts.
Traffic aides on the 5 a.m. to 1 p.m. shift will take their break either from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. or from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Those on the 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. shift will take their break either from 2:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. or from 3 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Traffic aides on the 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. shift will take their break either from 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. or from 11:30 a.m. to 12 noon.
Those working from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. will take their break either from 3 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. or from 3:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Metro aides and street sweepers on the 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. shift will take their break either from 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. or from 11:30 a.m. to 12 noon.
Those assigned to the 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. shift will take their break either from 2:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. or from 3 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Personnel on the 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. shift will observe their regular break from 12 noon to 1 p.m.
There will be an additional 15-minute break when the heat index in Metro Manila reaches 40 degrees Celsius or higher.
MMDA said the extra break is meant to further reduce the risk of heat exhaustion, heat stroke and heat cramps among workers exposed to high temperatures while on duty.
At the MMDA Timog Base in Quezon City, Chairman Don Artes led the distribution of drinking water and insulated reusable water bottles to field personnel as part of the agency’s heat mitigation measures.
The agency said the distribution of drinking water to field personnel will be done on a regular basis until May 31.
The water assistance was made possible through the partnership of water concessionaires Maynilad Water Services Inc. and Manila Water Company Inc. with the MMDA.
MMDA General Manager Nicolas Torre III said all MMDA satellite offices would also be provided with water for field personnel.
Torre said around 4,000 traffic enforcers are expected to benefit from the initiative.
“This will help ensure the health and wellness of all our field officers while also making sure that they will still be able to effectively perform their duties on the road,” Torre said.
