MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Raffy Tulfo visited yesterday the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) communications and command center, which monitors traffic in major Metro Manila roads.
Tulfo, Senate committee on public services chair, noted the center’s huge monitors which shows live feed from CCTV cameras installed in critical areas and major infrastructures as well as the body-worn cameras or BWCs used by on-duty traffic enforcers.
MMDA Chairman Romando Artes and Swift Traffic Action Group head Edison Nebrija also demonstrated to Tulfo how the BWCs work, instructing a traffic enforcer to conduct an on-the-spot anti-illegal parking operation along 20th Avenue in Quezon City.
Tulfo said converstations between the enforcer and violator could be heard during the live feed, adding that this is a crucial aspect that strengthens evidence against those being apprehended.
“Artes said these measures ensure transparency most especially that their BWCs automatically records the moment it is released from its docking station and cannot be switched off until it is redocked,” Tulfo said.
According to Artes, the BWC used by MMDA enforcers cost only P68,000 per unit and about P300,000 if the back-end monitoring and sim card subscription is included – a package that Tulfo said marks a “huge difference” compared to the BWCs of the Philippine Ports Authority that costs P897,000 per unit with back-end systems.
During the visit, Tulfo stressed the need to give hazard pay to MMDA enforcers and street sweepers who are exposed to harmful pollutants. The MMDA workers are not currently covered by the Hazard Pay Law.
Tulfo also found that many enforcers and street sweepers remain job order and casual employees, despite serving the MMDA for years.
The senator promised to push for an amendment to the Hazard Pay Law to include MMDA traffic enforcers and street sweepers.
He also committed to fight for their budget in the upcoming Senate budget deliberations to help them open up regular positions for job order and casual employees.