PSTMO leaves decision of wearing face masks to traffic enforcers

By: Emme Rose Santiagudo

THE Public Safety and Transportation Management Office (PSTMO) will let traffic enforcers decide whether or not they will wear face masks.

PSTMO head Jeck Conlu said that traffic enforcers who decide to wear face masks can do so.

Conlu issued the statement after the passage of a resolution by the Sangguniang Panlungsod urging traffic enforcers to wear masks when working on the streets.

In her privilege speech, Councilor Candice Magdalene Tupas underscored the need for traffic enforcers to wear face masks as a preventive measure against diseases that they can get from the roads.

“Occupational hazards, you can never avoid it, it’s just part of their job but all we can do at least limit our exposure to pollutants and at least face masks could help it,” Tupas said.

Tupas emphasized that traffic enforcers need to use not just regular face masks but the N-95 mask which is used by patients suffering from tuberculosis.

Under her resolution, the face masks of the traffic enforcers will be provided by the city government.

According to Conlu, they have already discussed the matter with Mayor Jerry Treñas even before the privilege speech of Tupas.

“Na-discuss na namon ni mayor prior pa sa privilege with regards sa mask. May mga medical expert nagpalapit sa aton and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) from the national government,” he said.

Ten years ago, Conlu said that they tried requiring enforcers to wear face masks however majority of the traffic enforcers were not comfortable wearing the masks while on duty.

“Natestingan na ini, siguro mga ten years ago pero mabudlay gid sa aton enforceers ang may face mask kag magpito nga may mask indi sila komportable bangod ara sila sa dalan, indi comfortable sila sa dalan,” he lamented.

While some enforcers are not amenable with the measure, Conlu clarified that they have nothing against the resolution of Tupas. In fact, they support it.

“Pabor kami da ya. Again, gusto gid naton wala gid problema sa aton ang probema lang gid sa aton tanan enforcers, majority mabudlay sa ila magperform sang ila trabaho,” he added.

He emphasized that traffic enforcers who chose to wear face masks while on duty will be allowed.

“Pwede gid, kon magdecide sila on their own. Kon may gusto sa aton team nga magsuksok wala gid problema sa aton,” he said.

Conlu said that they are looking into other preventive measures for the traffic enforcers aside from face masks.

“Ginatan-aw naton kay aside from mask wala kita sang may nakita nga iban pa nga makaprevent sang virus or disease nga makuha nila sa dalan naton. May nakaschedule na si Mayor Jerry sa November nga maexamine kag maprofile sa aton traffic enforcers,” he said.

The proposed resolution of Tupas was passed on first reading last Tuesday.