MMDA: Even soldiers, astronauts wear adult diapers

MANILA, Philippines - An executive of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Thursday defended the use of adult diapers by MMDA personnel for the Black Nazarene procession in Manila. 

 

Emerson Carlos, MMDA assistant general manager for operations, said people across the globe have been using adult diapers for comfort in times of war and peace.

 

Carlos made the statement following  talks circulating in certain sectors that the idea of requiring MMDA traffic constables to wear adult diapers to help maintain public safety is not well thought out and planned.

 

On the contrary, Carlos said that the use of diapers was properly and thoroughly studied.

 

"These diapers are actually being used regularly as standard operating gear for soldiers belonging to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the United States Army to fight Talibans in Afghanistan since 2012. Even the Buckingham Palace guards," Carlos said.

 

He added that adult diapers were used by the Beijing police who maintained peace and order during the 2008 Olympics and the performers who contributed partly to the huge success of the opening ceremonies. 

 

Even all astronauts of the National Aeronautics Space Administration (NASA) of the United States wore diapers during all space shuttle launches and in their reentry into earth atmosphere, Carlos said.

 

 "It is understandable that the idea may seem ridiculous to a few or maybe a majority, at first glance.  But we need to look at it in its proper perspective, which is its practicality, considering the limited number of portalets in tomorrow’s event. The benefits outweigh the negative notion. Some people are quick to deride our efforts.  But we at the MMDA take comfort in the fact that we are doing these practical measures to better serve the public," Carlos said. 

 

On Wednesday,  the MMDA announced that the 2,000 MMDA personnel to be deployed for the "Traslacion" would be asked to wear adult diapers so that they stay their posts during the entirety of the event.