MMDA field personnel’s ‘heat stroke break’ to resume this March

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) traffic enforcers take part in the conduct of blood pressure monitoring and distribution of cold water at MMDA’s EDSA-Timog base on March 7, 2024. | PHOTO: MMDA

MANILA, Philippines — Metropolitan Manila Development Authority’s (MMDA) field personnel will soon spend less time under the sun as the agency prepares to bring back its anti-heat stroke program this dry season.

On Thursday, the MMDA said its 30-minute “heat stroke break” policy will be reinstated from March 15 to May 31. The program aims to improve the working conditions of MMDA personnel, particularly traffic enforcers and street sweepers.

“We must understand the plight of these traffic enforcers and street sweepers who work under the scorching heat of the sun every day to fulfill their duties and responsibilities,” MMDA Acting Chairperson Don Artes said in a statement.

READ: MMDA needs 8,000 traffic enforcers to man NCR, but it has less than 2,500

Under the heat stroke break policy, on-duty MMDA traffic enforcers and street sweepers are allowed to leave their posts in shifts to rehydrate and seek cover, away from the scorching ray of the sun, for 30 minutes.

The field personnel, however, cannot leave their posts all at once and must instead take the break alternately to maintain the visibility of traffic enforcers and street sweepers in designated areas, MMDA explained.

READ: Metro Manila temperature may reach 34°C on Thursday — Pagasa

The MMDA heat stroke break policy schedule was set as follows:

Traffic enforcers

5 a.m. to 1 p.m. shift – heat stroke break at 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. or 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
1 p.m. to 9 p.m. shift – heat stroke break at 2:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. or 3 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
6 a.m. to 2 p.m. shift – heat stroke break at 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. or 11:30 p.m. to 12 p.m.
2 p.m. to 10 p.m. shift – heat stroke break at 3 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. or 3:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Street sweepers

6 a.m. to 2 p.m. shift – heat stroke break at 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. or 11:30 p.m. to 12 p.m.
7 a.m. to 4 p.m. shift – shall observe 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. regular break time
11 a.m. to 7 p.m. shift – heat stroke break at 2:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. or 3 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

“Field personnel could also take an additional 15-minute break time in case the heat index, or the ‘human discomfort index’ in Metro Manila reaches 40 degrees Celsius and above,” MMDA said.

The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) previously said the easterlies, or warm winds blowing from the Pacific Ocean, are bringing hot and humid weather to most parts of the country including Metro Manila.