MMDA Strengthens Ranks with Outsourced Personnel

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) announced its plans to outsource 500 traffic enforcer jobs in a bid to provide better traffic management services to the motoring public. According to MMDA general manager Tim Orbos, the government agency—which currently employs 2.300 traffic enforcers—has less than half of the ideal 5,000-plus number necessary to manage traffic flow on major thoroughfares that are under its jurisdiction. Orbos said the outsourcing will infuse the agency with the extra manpower it needs to be more effective on the road.

Orbos says that the additional 500 traffic enforcer jobs will be outsourced to various manpower agencies in the Metro. At the MMDA’s current state, Orbos said that the agency was already spreading its workforce too thin. He says they struggle heavily to meet the 5,000-plus requirement for field personnel on all major Metro Manila roads.

Watching the watchmen

To ensure that the new hires are qualified for the job, Orbos said that the deputized traffic enforcers will undergo training and be supervised by senior enforcers. The MMDA head hopes that the outsourced workforce convinces the agency’s direct hires to work harder at their jobs. “We want this planned outsourcing to pose a challenge to our organic traffic personnel, perform well with integrity or lose your job,” Orbos emphasized.

Volunteers from other sources

Orbos said that a good number of fire volunteer groups committed around 300 of their personnel. MMDA intends to deploy the volunteers during weekends, from Friday to Sunday. Their volunteer status means that they operate at no cost to the government. Th equipment, vehicles, radio, and even uniform also come at the volunteers’ own expense. Like the outsourced workforce, these volunteers will also operate under the MMDA’s direct supervision. “We have coordinated with the several volunteer groups for the purpose of augmenting our traffic force,” he said.

Orbos added he is seriously considering to tap the participation of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in the MMDA’s operations due to the high security risks inherent in some of them. He cites past operations as examples, such as the clearing of illegal vendors from streets and sidewalks which resulted in violent clashes that caused the injury and even death of those in their ranks.

Working with motorcycle riders’ associations

In 2016, MMDA also met with various motorcycle riders’ associations to obtain their help in policing their ranks. MMDA tasked the bikers with checking traffic enforcers for proper attire, vehicles that have their headlights on at daytime, and other functions. MMDA scheduled the bikers to start performing their newly assigned functions within this quarter.

“We are continuously conducting consultative meetings with various sectors to find stakeholder-specific solutions to the traffic situation,” Orbos said.