To safeguard the health and welfare of field personnel during the summer season, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has re-implemented its Heat Stroke Break Policy for its traffic enforcers and street sweepers.
In line with this, MMDA Chairman Atty. Don Artes led the distribution of gallons of drinking water, insulated and reusable water bottles to the agency’s field personnel at the MMDA Timog Base in Quezon City, to promote environmental responsibility.
The initiative was made possible through the support of water concessionaires Maynilad Water Services, Inc. and Manila Water Company, Inc., which partnered with the MMDA in providing drinking water and water bottles.
Under Memorandum Circular No. 04, Series of 2026, the policy re-implements a 30-minute heat stroke break.
Under Memorandum Circular No. 04, Series of 2026, the policy re-implements a 30-minute heat stroke break which prescribes scheduled break times to protect the agency’s field personnel from heat-related illnesses while performing their duties.
The policy aims to protect frontline personnel who continue to manage traffic and maintain cleanliness along major thoroughfares despite extreme weather conditions.
MMDA General Manager Undersecretary Nicolas Torre III said all MMDA bases will be provided with drinking water to help personnel stay hydrated while on duty.
“It is estimated that around 4,000 traffic enforcers will benefit from this initiative.”
“All MMDA satellite offices will be provided with water for our field personnel. It is estimated that around 4,000 traffic enforcers will benefit from this initiative,” Torre said.
“This will help ensure the health and wellness of all our field officers while also making sure that they will still be able to effectively perform their duties on the road,” he added.
The circular prescribes staggered break schedules for traffic aides, metro aides, and street sweepers to ensure that field operations remain continuous while personnel are given time to recover from heat exposure.
Under the circular, specific break times have been established:
Traffic Aides:
-5:00 AM to 1:00 PM Shift: Break is either 10:00 AM to 10:30 AM or 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM.
-1:00 PM to 9:00 PM Shift: Break is either 2:30 PM to 3:00 PM or 3:00 PM to 3:30 PM.
-6:00 AM to 2:00 PM Shift: Break is either 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM or 11:30 AM to 12:00 PM.
-2:00 PM to 10:00 PM Shift: Break is either 3:00 PM to 3:30 PM or 3:30 PM to 4:00 PM.
Metro Aides / Street Sweepers:
-6:00 AM to 2:00 PM Shift: Break is either 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM or 11:30 AM to 12:00 PM.
-11:00 AM to 7:00 PM Shift: Break is either 2:30 PM to 3:00 PM or 3:00 PM to 3:30 PM.
-7:00 AM to 4:00 PM Shift: Regular break-time from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM.
In cases where the heat index in Metro Manila reaches 40 degrees Celsius or higher, an additional fifteen-minute break will be implemented to further protect personnel from heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and heat cramps.
The heat stroke break schedule will be implemented alternately among personnel assigned in the same area to maintain visibility and ensure that traffic management and road clearing operations are not hampered.
The re-implementation of the Heat Stroke Break Policy will remain in force until May 31.
