MMDA wants to hire 400 more traffic aides

MANILA, Philippines - The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is eyeing the hiring of an additional 400 traffic aides to cope with the staggering expected traffic jams to be created by the construction of 15 major infrasructure projects across Metro Manila.

MMDA chairman Francis Tolentino said the additional traffic aides will assist the existing 2,000 MMDA traffic enforcers in managing vehicular traffic especially at the vicinities of the construction projects.

Of the 15 projects, construction works have started on the Skyway 3 and NAIA Expressway Phase 2 projects. The rest of the projects will soon follow construction with the completion date slated for 2016.

Tolentino also called on the contractors of the projects to deploy at least 50 flagmen per project. The flagmen will help the MMDA enforcers direct traffic around the construction sites.

”Wishlist ko 400 pa. Kailangan namin siguro  mga last quarter yung additional para sa may 15 infrastructure projects and sa bawat 15 projects may 50 flagmen galing sa proponent (contractor). Basically may 750 force multipliers pag nagdagdag ka ng 400, basically yun ang 1,150 -  yun ang strength namin,” Tolentino said.

Other projects scheduled for construction for the coming months are the Gil Puyat-Makati-Avenue-Paseo de Roxas underpass; Sta. Monica-Lawton Avenue bridge; CP Garcia Avenue-McKinley Hill ramp; repair and asphalt overlay of Magallanes Interchange; EDSA-Taft Avenue flyover; MRT Line 3/ LRT Line 1 extension common station; LRT Line 2 East extension up to Masinag; LRT Line 1 Extension (Cavite); EDSA- Roosevelt Ave. interchange; España Avenue-Lacson Avenue interchange; repair and rehabilitation and improvement of South Superhighway Makati; the NLEX-SLEX connector road; and the EDSA-West Avenue-North Avenue interchange.

Tolentino said those interested to join the MMDA as traffic aides must have finished at least 2nd year of college education and must be willing to work at odd hours.

"Yung handang maglingkod, na walang pnipiling oras gaya ng Osmeña Highway may deployment kahit madaling araw. Kailangan merong commitment kasi two and a half years na trabaho ito," said Tolentino.