The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is seeking to give hazard pay and salary raise to “underpaid” traffic enforcers to resist the temptation to engage in corrupt activities.
MMDA Chairman Danilo Lim said they started talking with Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to increase the budget for salary of enforcers and House of Representatives on the giving of R6,000 hazard pay aimed to improve the working conditions of the traffic enforcers.
“We also want to motivate these traffic enforcers who are out on the streets manning traffic, facing dangers while on duty,” said Lim.
Hazard pay is a form of compensation granted to employees who report for work in duty stations where very hazardous conditions, such as war or active hostilities.
A traffic enforcer, according to Lim, receives P6,000-P8,000 take home pay.
“How can you motivate people if they are hungry,” said Lim.
Lim said he believes that the meager salary of traffic enforcers push them to do illegal activities on the road. “However, it is not an excuse to do wrong,” he added.
At present, there are 2,368 traffic enforcers deployed in strategic areas in the metropolis.
Lim assured traffic enforcers that the MMDA leadership will get all of the support the agency could give them to ensure that they will deliver quality public service.
In January this year, field personnel including street sweepers, sidewalk clearing groups, traffic enforcers received accident insurance worth P40,000 when they get injured or figured in an accident, donated by two private companies.
(ANNA LIZA ALAVAREN)
