MANILA, Philippines — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Monday vowed to improve the working conditions of its workers after being called out by actress Bela Padilla.
In a Twitter post on Saturday, Padilla shared a photo of several men wearing MMDA shirts sitting at the roofless back of a truck, trying to protect themselves from the heat with umbrellas.
“Hello [MMDA], I hope next time you can transport your workers more safely. If we have laws to keep objects in closed trucks to avoid accidents, is it right that your men are exposed to harm this way?” Padilla said.
Hello @MMDA I hope next time you can transport your workers more safely 🙈 if we have laws to keep objects in closed trucks to avoid accidents, is it right that your men are exposed to harm this way? pic.twitter.com/owLrwbsV6d
— Bela Padilla (@padillabela) July 6, 2019
MMDA Edsa traffic head Bong Nebrija agreed with Padilla, adding that they are implementing means to ensure the safety of their workers.
“Safety is everyone’s responsibility. There’s no excuse here, we will again reiterate our safety standards to our men and make sure their supervisors do not expose them to such unsafe conditions,” Nebrija said in a text message to INQUIRER.net.
“Our agency is also upgrading our heavy equipment to allow our personnel to do their work in a more safe environment — that to include their transportation to their site of work,” Nebrija added.
Nebrija also assured that the MMDA is looking into the matter.
“We thank Bela Padilla for her concern to improve the work conditions of our men and their safety. Rest assured that MMDA under Chairman Danny Lim is hands on in addressing this matter,” Nebrija said. (Editor: Julie Espinosa)
READ: Bela Padilla hopes for better transport for MMDA workers