Mandaue City enforcers to get water backpacks

CEBU, Philippines — Traffic enforcers of Mandaue City will no longer have to clutch water bottles while manning the traffic under the scorching heat.

The city government has purchased 250 hydration or water backpacks, which can store three liters of water, to keep traffic enforcers hydrated while on duty.

The traffic enforcers work around eight hours a day. They have two shifts from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Traffic Enforcement Agency in Mandaue (TEAM) has around 120 personnel doing fieldworks. About half of them are already in their 30s and 50s.

According to health experts, enforcers are prone to heat stroke.

Glenn Antigua, TEAM chief of operations, said the 250 backpacks are set for distribution.

“Naa na sa Command Center and ready na for distribution,” he said.

Each water backpack costs around P1,800. The P450,000 budget was sourced from the department’s trust fund.

The hydration packs contain a reservoir for liquid and a long tube that allows the wearer to drink hands-free.

City Legal Officer James Allan Sayson said the water backpacks are beneficial for the enforcers.

“We value the needs of our traffic enforcers,” he said. (FREEMAN)