Chairman Danilo Lim of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority has given assurances traffic enforcers hired based on job order scheme will be given permanent position and casual employment status in the agency.
Majority of the MMDA traffic enforcers are classified as job order employees, who are not entitled to benefits and hazard pay.
“I know all your hardships and sacrifices, rain or shine, sometimes, you even encounter abusive motorists on the road, but still you carry out your sworn duties to the public,” said Lim, addressing the 2,286 traffic enforcement personnel present during the agency’s Operational Readiness, Safety, Inspection, Traffic and Evaluation (Orsite) ceremony at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila on Monday.
Lim gave assurance the leadership of MMDA listens to the traffic enforcers’ needs.
“I will support everyone as long as you stand by the truth and perform your duties well,” added Lim in boosting the morale of the traffic personnel.
Orsite aims to ensure the readiness and capabilities of the traffic enforcers, along with vehicles and equipment utilized by the agency for its management operation and services.
Lim, who led the second annual general formation, lauded the traffic personnel for their efforts and services as front-liners of the agency, enforcing traffic rules and regulations in the metropolis.
“That is why we continue to provide free medicines, meals, insurance support for everyone,” he said.
Laying down plans, Lim said they were now taking steps to complete the vehicles and equipment needed by the agency to serve the public efficiently.
Several vehicles and equipment donated to the agency were now being utilized for better management service.
“Motorcycles, vehicles, rescue equipment, heavy equipment, personnel safety devices, we want to have additional equipment,” said Lim.
During the event, Lim awarded best traffic enforcement units, support units, and best traffic personnel for their outstanding performances.
Also present during the event were MMDA general manager Jose Arturo Garcia Jr., Deputy Chairman Undersecretary Frisco San Juan Jr., Traffic Discipline Office Director Teroy Taguinod, and other agency officials.
Meanwhile, the MMDA announced it had formed a new interim office tasked to oversee and strengthen the agency’s disaster and emergency preparedness and response efforts in the National Capital Region.
Lim created the Metropolitan Public Safety Office to integrate and consolidate all units undertaking similar functions or tasks related to disaster and emergency preparedness and response.
“It will conform to one of the Agency’s mandates of Public Safety, which includes the formulation and implementation of programs and policies and procedures to achieve public safety, especially preparedness for preventive or rescue operation during times of calamities and disasters, such as conflagrations, earthquake, flood and tidal waves,” said Lim.
The MPSO shall also handle the coordination and mobilization of resources and implementation of contingency plans for the rehabilitation and relief operations and coordination with national agencies concerned.
The new office is headed by Michael Salalima, also the concurrent Chief of Staff, OGM and Focal Person for Disaster Risk Reduction and Management, and composed of the following units:
• Public Safety Division
• Road Emergency Group
• Metro Manila Emergency Volunteer Corps
• Metro Manila Crisis Monitoring & Management Center
• Rescue Battalion Headquarters & Disaster Preparedness Training Center
“It will allow the offices to function mainly on their tasks more effectively and efficiently by having unique and clear tasks, functions and objectives of their own, eroding the confusion which office is responsible to work on a certain task,” said Lim.
The group is in-charge of establishing sectionalized disaster and emergency response units – Central, North, South, East and West sectors – capable of immediately responding to emergencies and disasters affecting Metro Manila.
It is also their duty to “provide timely information regarding monitored disasters, hazards and emergencies to concerned officials, responders, stakeholders and the public; promote and implement disaster preparedness trainings in the community level to increase their level of awareness and equip them with necessary skills and capability to cope with the threats and impacts of disasters.”
During road emergencies, the office is also tasked to effectively respond to reported or monitored disasters, ensure the free flow of traffic along major thoroughfares in Metro Manila by removing all roadblocks and provide efficient response to roadside emergencies.