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Jean Mangaluz - Philstar.com
March 16, 2026 | 5:16pm
Metropolitan Manila Development Authority traffic enforcers carry bottles of mineral water while directing traffic in Manila on March 6, 2025.
The STAR / Edd Gumban
MANILA, Philippines — As the summer season approaches, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said that it will re-implement heat breaks for traffic enforcers and street sweepers starting Monday, March 16.
Under a memorandum circular, the MMDA said there will be a 30-minute heat stroke break prescribing the scheduled times where their personnel could take a break as temperatures are expected to rise with the approach of the dry season.
The break times in the circular are as follows:
For traffic aides:
- 5 a.m. to 1 p.m. shift – Break from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. or 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
- 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. shift – Break from 2:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. or 3 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. shift – Break from 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. or 11:30 a.m. to noon
- 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. shift – Break from 3 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. or 3:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.
For street sweepers:
- 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. shift – Break from 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. or 11:30 a.m. to noon
- 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. shift – Break from 2:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. or 3 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. shift – Regular break from noon to 1 p.m.
Drinking water will also be provided for their personnel, the MMDA added.
“All MMDA satellite offices will be provided with water for our field personnel. It is estimated that around 4,000 traffic enforcers will benefit from this initiative,” MMDA General Manager Undersecretary Nicolas Torre said.
“This will help ensure the health and wellness of all our field officers while also making sure that they will still be able to effectively perform their duties on the road,” he added.
While many parts of the country are experiencing record low temperatures due to the northeast monsoon, the state weather bureau PAGASA has forecasted that the easterly winds will soon prevail, bringing warmer weather.
