MMDA Traffic Operations Center (TOC) Executive Director Angelito Vergel de Dios maintained that he sees no reason for any of the MMDA traffic enforcers to leave their places of assignment as the agency had provided them with the necessary gear.

Aside from distributing cellular telephones to 1,000 MMDA traffic crew, De Dios said the agency gave them raincoats and boots for their protection during the rain and floods.

Motorists have repeatedly blamed the MMDA and other traffic enforcement groups for the lack of traffic enforcers during heavy rains that further aggravate the traffic woes in the metropolis.

"They have no reason not to be in their posts during rains because they have already the raincoat and boots for their protection. They have no excuse not to man the traffic,’’ De Dios said.

De Dios noted that physicians at the MMDA infirmary administer regular health check-ups on the 2,500 Traffic Operations Center personnel.

The physicians of the MMDA provide the traffic men with the necessary medications and vitamins to fend off respiratory diseases that are common among workers manning the streets.

De Dios noted that the MMDA infirmary has an electrocardiograph or ECG machine that can detect possible heart ailments of the MMDA traffic enforcers and other personnel.

The TOC chief cited MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando for making representations that allowed various pharmaceutical companies to donate vitamins for the use of the traffic enforcers.

A group of MMDA traffic enforcers, reacting to the statement of De Dios, however, complained that not all TOC personnel received the necessary equipment and gear to protect them from the rain and heat of the sun. (Chito Chavez)

The MMDA also said it has distributed cellular telephones to the MMDA flood control unit personnel to facilitate the transmission of information on the streets. (Chito A. Chavez)