MMDA to deploy 500 traffic volunteers in MM

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is eyeing to deploy around 500 volunteers to assist its regular traffic enforcers on traffic management in Metro Manila. (Photo: MMDA/Facebook)

MANILA—The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is eyeing to deploy around 500 volunteers to assist its regular traffic enforcers on traffic management in Metro Manila.

MMDA General Manager Thomas Orbos said the traffic volunteers will be deployed in major thoroughfares across the metropolis during weekends.

“They will be joining alongside our traffic personnel to help ensure smooth traffic flow in Metro Manila,” Orbos said in an interview with reporters during the graduation rites for the first batch of deputized traffic enforcers Monday at the MMDA office in Makati City.

The initial batch consisting of fifty volunteers from the Civil Defense Action Group (CDAG) and Pureforce and Rescue Corporation (Pureforce) will be assigned along Quezon Avenue by next week and will be authorized to give traffic violation tickets.

Johnny Yu of CDAG related that the organization will also tap radio operators and bikers aside from committing volunteers for traffic enforcement. He disclosed that succeeding batches will be forthcoming within the next few weeks.

CDAG is an umbrella organization of registered volunteer and rescue units in the Philippines and accredited by the Office of the Civil Defense and the Department of National Defense while Pureforce, owned by Jomerito Soliman, is a first responder operations company which integrates computer-aided dispatch and other state-of-the-art incident management technology.

The MMDA has also signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with CDAG and Pureforce in tapping the volunteers who will do traffic duties.

Under the MOA, the agency will provide transport and traffic management seminars, trainings and administer qualifying examinations to selected volunteers.

It will also provide volunteers with legal and medical assistance in the course of their performance of their official duties and functions, the MOA added.

On the other hand, the two private groups will recommend the volunteers and will provide the MMDA all available equipment, technology and other resources and assets for the purpose of transport and traffic management.

The private firms will provide the volunteers with their own uniform and other personal protective equipment during their deployment to the field.

To date, MMDA has only a total of 2,368 traffic enforcers doing three shifts. These personnel are spread to the 197 kilometers of major roads and thoroughfares in Metro Manila.

Orbos pointed out that traffic enforcers are also needed because there are only 424 major roads with traffic signals as compared to the more than 1,000 main intersections.