The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is bringing back its 30-minute “heat stroke break” policy for the benefit of agency personnel who perform their duties under the scorching sun.
"Our personnel's safety is our paramount concern," MMDA Chairman Benhur Abalos said on the decision to bring back the rule this summer.
"This special heat stroke break is available for traffic enforcers and street sweepers who work under the dry season's searing heat. protect them from heat exhaustion, heat stroke and heat cramps," Abalos said.
The heat stroke break shall take effect until May 31, 2021.
Under the policy, on-duty traffic enforcers and street sweepers are allowed to leave their posts in shifts and take a 30-minute break to rest in the shade.
For traffic enforcers who work the 5 a.m. to 1 p.m. shift, the prescribed heat stroke break is from 10 a.m. to 10:30 am or 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.; for those in the 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. shift, the break time shall be observed from 2:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. or 3 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
For those working from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., the prescribed heat stroke break is from 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. or 11:30 a.m. to 12 noon; and finally, for the 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. shift, the break time shall be observed from 3 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. or 3:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Street sweepers who work the 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. shift can have their heat stroke break from 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. or 11:30 a.m. to 12 noon, while those who are part of the 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. shift may leave their posts from 2:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. or 3 p.m. to 3:30 pm.
In order to maintain the visibility of traffic enforcers and the field operations of street sweepers, the 30-minute break shall be done alternately by agency personnel assigned at a particular area, Abalos said.
"A 15-minute break shall be added in case the heat index in Metro Manila reaches 40 degrees Celsius and above," the MMDA chief further said.