Traffic aides, street sweepers to observe ‘heat break’ starting Mar. 25

MANILA — Starting March 25, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will again implement its daily “heat stroke break” to avoid heat-related illnesses among on-duty traffic constables and street sweepers.

MMDA Traffic Discipline Office head Cris Saruca said during the agency’s weekly radio program that traffic enforcers would have a 30-minute break in their 8-hour shift from March 25 until the end of May.

“The 30-minute break will be observed between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.,” he said. That period, according to Saruca, is considered the hottest part of the day during the summer.

But Saruca assured motorists that there would still be enough traffic constables on the streets as they would take their heat break on rotation basis.

“They can drink water and leave their posts to seek shelter from the sun,” the MMDA Traffic Discipline Office head said.

If the temperature reaches 40 degrees Celsius, an additional 15-minute break would be given to constables and street sweepers to prevent dizziness, according to Saruca.

The MMDA official said they have started distributing bottles of water to their on-street personnel. “The agency is also planning to again allow traffic enforcers to wear their summer uniform (short pants and polo shirt) for this season,” Saruca said.

The “heat stroke break” policy started during the time of former MMDA Chair Francis Tolentino who gave out allowances to personnel and free purified drinking water for those working in the afternoon shift.  SFM