Female enforcers bring 'girl factor' in directing metro traffic

MANILA, Philippines - The 60-member “Task Force EDSA Lady Auxiliary Platoon” - an all-female team of traffic enforcers recently deployed by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to direct traffic flow on EDSA has started to gain the respect of motorists, thanks to their “girl factor.”

“Ang reaction ng motorist ay mas nirerespeto sila at sinusunod sila. Meron silang girl factor,” said Crisanto Saruca, head of the MMDA’s Traffic Discipline Office (TDO).

Saruca said although the members of the platoon do not issue traffic violation receipts (TVRs) for traffic violations, they are accompanied during deployment by traffic constables who will be the ones to issue tickets to erring motorists.

Saruca said the members of the platoon are more concerned about directing traffic flow and traffic management.

“Hindi sila nanghuhuli. Pwede silang magrefer ng traffic violations like on (number) coding,” Saruca said.

Saruca said the formation of the all-female auxiliary platoon for EDSA was part of a decision made by the MMDA to separate the functions of traffic flow management and traffic rules enforcement which were both previously handled by a single traffic enforcer.

“Pinaghiwalay namin 'yung traffic management at traffic enforcement. 'Yung management,  pampapatakbo ng traffic. Yung enforcement, maniniket ka kasi may violation. Noon, magkasama ang pagpapatakbo at panghuhuli. Kung manghuhuli ka pa sino ang maiiwan sa puwesto mo?  So yan ang bagong concept,” said Saruca.

The MMDA deployed members of the “Task Force EDSA Lady Auxiliary Platoon” on September 1.

Members of the task force, said Saruca, will be seen on EDSA from Monday to Friday on fixed posts at Ayala Avenue, Gil Puyat (Buendia), Guadalupe, Shaw Boulevard, Ortigas and Cubao from 5 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Mondays and from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Fridays. 

“They will be on standby for deployment in other parts of EDSA when needed on the other days,” Saruca said.

Meanwhile, Saruca said there is also a plan to augment the all-women task force with at least five female traffic enforcers on motorcyles also to be deployed on EDSA.