Around 400 Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau (MTPB) enforcers or half of the bureau's total force were designated on Tuesday as coronavirus disease (COVID-19) safety marshals in the city.

Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso said the marshals will augment the Manila Police District and the city's barangay officials in enforcing public health protocols during the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) from August 4 to 18.

Domagoso said the safety marshals were deployed only to call out those who are not following safety protocols. The concept is rooted in his belief that the public understands the gravity of the COVID-19 crisis, and will follow guidelines once they are reminded. 

"Ang tao, naiintindihan 'yung gravity ng sitwasyon (The people understand the gravity of the situation, the least thing I can do is to remind them)," he told reporters.

"Hangga't kayang diplomasyahin, didiplomasyahin (As long as we can solve things through diplomacy, we will do it)," he added. "I don't want to fill up my jail and the court room and city hall, for that matter, na pila-pila ang mga tao kasi kailangan humarap sa piskalya (that people are lining up just to appear before the prosecutor)." 

Should violators continue to disobey the guidelines, they will be turned over to the police or barangay officials.

"Kung talagang walang pagkilala sa mga otoridad, then ipapakita natin 'yung higpit ng batas (If they continue to ignore authorities, then we will show them the harshness of the law)," he said. "We will be firm, but with compassion." 

The local chief executive reminded the safety marshals that the public must still observe the wearing of face masks and physical distancing.

The mayor also reinstated the 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew in Manila.

Domagoso said he will not implement a liquor ban in the city but public drinking is still prohibited.

President Duterte placed Metro Manila and the provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal under MECQ after medical frontliners sought for breathing space from months of battling the COVID-19 pandemic to refine COVID-19 control strategies and address urgent problems. 

The Manila mayor said government also has a responsibility to help the health workers get some breathing space. 

"Kung gusto niyong makapagpahinga ang mga doktor, ang mga nurse, ang mga medical frontliners, hindi para makapagpahinga lang, kung hindi para hindi mabulunan ng mga pasyente sa kani-kanilang dako... kailangan tayong bahagi ng pamahalaan ay tupdin din ang ating mga responsibilidad (If we want to give our doctors, nurses, and medical frontliners some breathing space not only to rest but also to avoid a bottleneck of patients in their respective areas, we in government must also fulfill our responsibilities)," he told the safety marshals.