Officials of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) expect a new and improved look for their 1, 800 traffic enforcers who are now taking lessons on good grooming, speech and personality development.
MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino said the agency’s traffic personnel are currently undergoing an extensive retraining program aimed at making them presentable to the public.
“We want them to familiarize themselves with our new traffic rules and regulations while looking, feeling and looking good,” Tolentino said on Tuesday.
The MMDA started retraining the traffic enforcers in batches on Tuesday, hoping to improve not only their skills in traffic management but also enhance their physical well-being.
The training-seminar is conducted by the agency’s traffic education unit, with assistance from private professionals who are experts in personality enhancement, English proficiency and speech development, and grooming and personal hygiene.
Assistant general manager for operations Emerson Carlos said all 1,800 traffic enforcers are covered by the program, with each batch of 30 enrolled in the three-day program.
“Our main goal is to make them experts in traffic laws,” said Carlos. “However, it is also important that they are taught to take care of themselves so they will look good in public. If they want respect from the motorists, they should undergo rigid training.”
There will also be classes on proper radio communications, flood control, towing protocols, physical fitness and basic self-defense, he added.