Intense heat kills 2 traffic cops in Iloilo City

ILOILO CITY – Two traffic enforcers here died this year from causes related to the extreme heat conditions.

Lester Paul Duran died on Feb. 23, while John Tulio Jr. passed away on April 7.

READ: MMDA prescribes 30-minute break for personnel amid high heat index

Duran, who served for six years, died after suffering a stroke caused by complications from high blood pressure.

Tulio, who had been serving for 37 years, died of a fatal stroke in his residence, after being sent home following having reported to be feeling unwell.

He was assigned to La Paz district prior to his death.

Uldarico Garbanzos, head of the Iloilo City Traffic and Transportation Management Office (TTMO), said that the extreme weather had exacerbated their underlying medical conditions.

“Based on our checking, [Tulio] already had maintenance [medication], and we don’t know if he had eaten anything [different] or he may have been stressed at work and without rest. We think these may have triggered his illness,” Garbanzos told reporters.

Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas posthumously honored Duran and Tulio during the city government’s flag raising ceremony on Monday, April 28.

Garbanzos said that TTMO and Public Order and Safety Management Office personnel have contributed their personal money to help the affected families, and his office has also sought support from the City Mayor’s Office.

He said that the heat index is also included in traffic enforcers’ pre-deployment briefing, and that they are being reminded to hydrate themselves regularly.

The TTMO is also implementing a “heat stroke break”, usually starting from 9 a.m. or when the heat starts to rise.

Enforcers will be retreating to shaded areas while still monitoring their assigned traffic areas.

“[Enforcers] stay at the side but they are still visible in their traffic beat areas. They will only come in between when there are accidents or traffic situations that need to be managed,” Garbanzos said.

“We are asking the public to understand that they may not see our enforcers at times, especially from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. They are just there at the side but we are still inspecting,” he added.

Garbanzos said they have requested personnel to notify them of any comorbidities or if they are consuming maintenance medicine. These personnel will be transferred to afternoon schedules to avoid prolonged heat exposure.

“We have started to realign [their schedules since] last week. There are already those asking, ‘Sir, we couldn’t stand [the heat] anymore,’ so we transfer them to the afternoon [schedule],” the traffic chief said./###