MMDA, PNP allow 'heat stroke break' for personnel on the ground

Policemen doing beat patrol and enforcers of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) were allowed to have heat stroke break amid the increase in the danger-level heat index forecast that forced some local government units (LGUs) in Metro Manila to suspend classes.

MMA chairman Don Artes said they will be reimplementing the yearly 30-minute "heat stroke break" policy for its field personnel, particularly traffic enforcers and street sweepers, to protect them from heat-related illness.

He said the policy will be implemented daily through a rotation schedule and took effect on March 3 and will last until May 31.

"We acknowledge the challenges being faced by our traffic enforcers and street sweepers who diligently work in the heat to fulfill their duties and responsibilities; their well-being is crucial and this initiative seeks to mitigate health-related illnesses among them, especially with the sudden rise in the heat index in Metro Manila," said Artes.  

But in order to ensure the visibility of the MMDA enforcers, Artes said the heat stroke break shall be done alternately by those who are assigned in a particular area.

Under the heat stroke break policy, on-duty traffic enforcers and street sweepers are allowed to leave their posts in shifts to rehydrate, seek shelter from the sun, and take a 30-minute break to avoid heat stroke.  

For traffic enforcers working in four different shifts, there is a prescribed “30-minute heat stroke break” depending on their shift:

5 am to 1 pm shift:

•10 am to 10:30 am or 10:30 am to 11 am

1 pm to 9 pm shift: 

• 2:30 pm to 3 pm or 3 pm to 3:30 pm

6 am to 2 pm shift:

• 11 am to 11:30 am or 11:30 am to 12 noon

2 pm to 10 pm shift:

• 3 pm to 3:30 pm or 3:30 pm to 4 pm.

Meanwhile, for street sweepers working three shifts, there is likewise a heat stroke break based on their shifts: 

6 am to 2 pm shift:

• 11 am to 11:30 am or 11:30 am to 12 noon

7 am to 4 pm shift:

•12 noon to 1 pm (regular break time)

11 am to 7 pm shift:

• 2:30 pm to 3:00 pm or 3:00 pm to 3:30 pm

In order to avoid heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and/or heat cramps, field personnel could also take an additional 15-minute break time in case the heat index in Metro Manila reaches 40 degrees Celsius and above.

For policemen, Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said they already reminded its personnel on the ground to bring in sufficient water supply for rehydration and invest on heat resistance items like sunblock.

‘If the duty of the patrol officers is 12 hours, it does not mean that they should be under the heat of sun at all times. They could go to shaded areas from time to time to rest,” said Fajardo.