EIGHTY-TWO more traffic enforcers in Manila are set to undergo extensive retraining this June to complete the reorganization of the Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau, Manila Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada said on Monday.
This third batch of trainees will be the last to fill the vacated slots at the city’s traffic force, which lost all of its 690 personnel last November when Estrada ordered an overhaul of the department due to complaints of extortion and other illegal activities.
“This is what I wanted: A lean but mean and highly professional traffic force far from the mostly corrupt and incompetent traffic management unit we had last year,” Estrada said.
MTPB chief Dennis Alcoreza said each candidate has been thoroughly screened to weed out “misfits and oddballs.” All have at least a few academic units in college, are in top physical condition, have no past criminal records, and not older than 45.
In view of the discovery of five MTPB members who turned out positive for illegal drug use, Alcoreza said all members of the third batch were subjected to mandatory drug test. None tested positive.
“If everyone passed the training, we will have a total of 362 active traffic personnel, half of what we have last year. Like what Mayor Estrada said, we don’t need that many anymore,” Alcoreza said.
The third batch, most of them newcomers, will be assigned to “Pook Kaayusan” traffic discipline zones along the stretch of Rizal Avenue, Alcoreza added.
The two-month rigid retraining course is being handled by the Manila Police District-Traffic Enforcement Unit and is focused on developing discipline, proper decorum and posture, and physical fitness.
The trainees also have classroom lectures about basic road accident investigation, rescue and first aid, and basic self defense techniques and the proper way of dealing with motorists.
Last January, the first batch of 82 handpicked enforcers graduated from the training course, followed by the second batch of 158 more early this April. Those with derogatory records were permanently banned from re-applying.
Recently, 40 retired and former members of the MPD-TEU were absorbed by the MTPB to serve as “counter-intelligence agents,” according to Alcoreza.
