About 400 enforcers of the Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau (MTPB) were deployed on the roads to serve as COVID-19 safety marshals and to assist in the implementation of health protocols.
Yesterday morning, Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno led the official appointment of traffic enforcers in their new job at Kartilya ng Katipunan. The marshalls would help barangay officials and police reprimand violators and assist the public.
“We will help our uniformed personnel in the PNP and the MPD. We will augment them for their effort to keep peace and order of the city,” Mayor Isko said.
“Kayong lahat ay sanay sa kalsada. Araw-araw na ginawa ng Diyos marami na kayong nakitang makukulit, marami na rin kayong experience sa pakikiusap sa mga tao. Alam ko ang sinasaway ninyo lang ay driver, pero simula sa araw na ito, ang sasawayin niyo na ay taumbayan,” Moreno told the COVID-19 safety marshals.
(You are all used to the road. Every day God has made you see many stubborn individuals, you also have a lot of experience in pleading with people. I know the only person you are apprehendings are drivers, but starting today, the person you are criticizing is the public.)
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This comes after the re-implementation of the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) in Metro Manila after President Rodrigo Duterte heeded the medical frontliners’ call for a two-week “breather.”
The number is said to be half of the MTPB force. They will enforce the strict wearing of face masks, physical distancing, and curfews in the barangays.
While MECQ exists, tricycles, e-trikes, and pedicabs will continue to operate to deliver passengers. He clarified that a tricycle must have only one passenger and strictly follow the protocols.
However, Moreno said the city government would no longer be distributing aid to residents.
The Mayor added rapid testing would also continue in Manila amid the stricter quarantine.
He also warned that the city’s six hospitals were already at 85% capacity.
Moreno did not enforce a liquor ban in the city but reminded that alcohol should only be consumed indoors.