MMDA defends adult diapers for traffic enforcers

MANILA, Philippines - Defending its decision to equip on-duty traffic enforcers with adult diapers during the procession of the image of the Black Nazarene, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) yesterday said that astronauts and members of the military elite forces use diapers during missions.

In a text message, MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino said even the Beijing police equipped their personnel with adult diapers during the 2008 Olympics.

Tolentino said astronauts wear adult diapers during space shuttle launches and reentry to earth. So do guards at Buckingham Palace.

MMDA assistant general manager for operations Emerson Carlos said the idea to equip traffic and street-clearing personnel with diapers during the traslacion, a term used for the procession of the Black Nazarene, was deliberated thoroughly.

“People across the globe have been using adult diapers for comfort in times of war and peace,” Carlos said.

“These diapers are actually being used regularly as standard operating gear for soldiers of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the United States Army to fight Taliban rebels in Afghanistan since 2012,” he added.

Carlos said the idea may seem ridiculous at first, but if one would consider the limited number of portalets during today’s event, the benefits far outweigh the minuses.

“We are doing these practical measures to better serve the public,” he said.

Tolentino earlier said there is a need to equip MMDA personnel with adult diapers as portalets have limited capacities.

He said traffic enforcers deployed during the traslacion would no longer need to leave their posts to line up for the portalets.

Tolentino said should the use of adult diapers prove successful, enforcers tasked to manage traffic during the papal visit would also be made to wear them.