Mandaue traffic enforcers get extra pay amid COVID

CEBU, Philippines —  The traffic enforcers of Mandaue City will get additional pay as incentive for their being in the frontline in the fight against the dreaded coronavirus disease (COVID-19) as members of the inter-agency task force working to stop the contagion.

All members of the Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaue (TEAM) will now get 30 days payment instead of the regular 26 days, which means an extra four days at P400 each day.

The Mandaue City Council recently passed an ordinance granting the traffic enforcers the additional pay in recognition of their efforts to help prevent the spread of the virus. Aside from directing traffic, TEAM members were also mandated to help implement the curfew in the city pursuant to the Executive Order No. 63 of Mayor Jonas C. Cortes.

The City Government of Mandaue is imposing a citywide curfew starting from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. and strict observance of “social distancing” in public transportations.

 “The traffic enforcers, who are mostly Job Order (JO), are the frontliners in this fight against the COVID-19. They are working beyond regular hours of their duty and are only getting the compensation of regular JO personnel. Thus, the city government of Mandaue, is willing to grant 30 day to all traffic enforcers who are directly involved in this endeavor,” read an ordinance sponsored by Councilor Jimmy Lumapas.

Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development-7 encourages Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries to follow safety protocols during payouts.

 “We are informing our 4Ps beneficiaries to follow the exact schedule of their payout as advised by their 4Ps City and Municipal Links. If the date of the payout is already confirmed by their City and Municipal Links, that is the time they can withdraw their cash grant using their cash card in the nearest Landbank ATM machine,” said DSWD-7 regional director Rebecca Geamala in a statement.

Cash grants credited through the Europay, Mastercard, and Visa (EMV) card may be withdrawn from any Land Bank of the Philippines Automated Teller Machines (LBP-ATMs) or any ATM subject to minimal charges. Beneficiaries may also use their EMV cards in establishments that receive payment through point-of-sale (POS).

 In withdrawing their cash grants, the 4Ps beneficiaries are encouraged to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) like face mask or handkerchief and gloves and use hand sanitizers or alcohol.

 Physical distancing should also be strictly followed by 4Ps beneficiaries.  After withdrawing their cash grant and purchasing important items, the 4Ps beneficiaries are also encouraged to properly wash their hands, disinfect before entering their house and change clothes.

“In times like this, the cash grant would be a big help to the 4Ps beneficiaries for them to buy their needs like food and vitamins but everyone should be cautious enough to avoid the spread the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) to others,” Geamala said.

The 4Ps is a national poverty reduction strategy of the national government. It invests in the health, nutrition and education of poor households for an improved well-being. Currently it has 282,575 household beneficiaries in Central Visayas. FPL (FREEMAN)