Fewer MMDA traffic aides due to ‘purge’ vs corrupt

If you’ve noticed fewer traffic constables on the streets nowadays, it’s because more than a thousand have either resigned or were dismissed by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) over the past months, mainly due to corruption.

Since May, the number of MMDA traffic constables has dropped by over 30 percent—from 3,180 to just 2,158 this month.

According to Jojo Garcia, acting MMDA general manager, most of the constables chose either to resign or stopped reporting for duty altogether after being summoned by top officials over allegations such as extortion.

No effect on performance

Garcia, however, said that the decrease in the number of traffic constables was not expected to affect the agency’s performance.

The “purge,” he stressed, left the MMDA with personnel who were focused on their jobs instead of shenanigans.

Ideally, the MMDA needs at least 7,000 constables for it to effectively manage traffic in Metro Manila. To compensate for their lack of manpower, Garcia said they were fully utilizing their closed-circuit television cameras to catch erring motorists through the noncontact apprehension policy.

He added that around 300 new traffic constables had recently completed their training. The MMDA will also ask the Congress to grant it an additional budget next year to hire 1,000 enforcers.