Mandaue traffic enforcers to get free bottled water

CEBU, Philippines - With hotter days ahead, the Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaue (TEAM) is taking measures against heat stroke and other harsh effects of the sun by handing out bottled water to traffic enforcers in the city streets and allowing them to take cover in shaded areas.

TEAM operations head Glenn Antigua also said they will be handing out bottles of water to traffic enforcers on duty. The budget for this will be taken from the special operations fund of the agency.

“Ang importante nga magahinan nato og tubig ang mga personnel matag adlaw. Di man gud mahimo ang enforcer mobiya sa dalan kay mangita og tubig, ig balik ana niya trapik naman kaayo. Atong gi-advisan ang atong mga personnel nga kay naa may traffic lights, kung di lang traffic ang interseksyon, padaplin lang sa visible sa mga tawo,” Antigua said.

According to Antigua, they have to understand the plight of the traffic enforcers who brave the heat everyday to fulfill their duties.

The Department of Health (DOH) has earlier raised a warning to the public, especially for senior citizens, against possible heat stroke that may be brought about by the summer season's searing heat.

Those who are most susceptible to heat stroke are infants, elderly, athletes, and individuals who work outside and physically exert themselves under the sun, the DOH said.

"Ang importante nga naa'y balon nga tubig ang mga enforcer aron malikayan nga kini ma-dehydrate samtang kini nagbantay sa trapiko ug aron usab nga kalikayan ang heatstroke," Antigua added.

Of the 248 personnel at the TEAM, 150 are traffic enforcers. Antigua said they are tapping barangay tanods to augment the number of traffic enforcers in the streets.

“Effective gyud ang Barangay Centro, di na bitaw sila kinahanglan nga ingnon, nakita nila ang problema ug sila na lang sab ang nilihok, ni cooperate gyud sila nato ug nananghid sad sila about sa pagtabang ug man sa traffic,” Antigua said. —/JBB (FREEMAN)