Expect a new look for the summer for Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) traffic aides on Edsa.
MMDA Chair Francis Tolentino on Monday ordered traffic personnel manning the major thoroughfare to wear shorts to work, anticipating the mercury to rise in the coming days.
In a statement, Tolentino said the sweltering summer heat, which had been felt in the past few weeks, could take a toll on the agency’s front-line personnel.
Wearing shorts to work, was a “practical way to welcome summer,” he said, adding that this was being practiced by traffic enforcers in other countries like Hong Kong.
Traffic personnel along Edsa will be wearing blue polo shirts with a necktie, shorts, rubber shoes and protective headgear beginning this week.
Meanwhile, Tolentino reactivated its interagency task force in charge of handling the exodus of Metro Manila residents to the provinces for the Holy Week.
Headed this year by MMDA Assistant General Manager for Operations Emerson Carlos, operation plan Metro Alalay Semana Santa will include posting traffic personnel at critical areas in the days leading to Holy Week next week.
From April 2 to 4, traffic personnel will direct the flow of vehicles at transport terminals and traffic choke points.
On Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, they will monitor popular pilgrimage sites and churches.
Tolentino said teams from the Sidewalk Clearing Operations Group and Parking Discipline Office will also be deployed to help traffic enforcers in major roads and critical areas.