EVEN before Quezon City traffic enforcer Jeffrey Antolin perished in a road accident in Balintawak, I knew people could lose their lives in that area where he used to perform his job.

Antolin died just a few days ago after a speeding truck hit him while he was directing traffic flow in Bonifacio Avenue near the Cloverleaf Ayala Mall.

He was actually helping pedestrians get across the busy thoroughfare when the fatal accident occurred. Reports even said he tried to save the life of a cyclist before he was run over by the wayward truck.

Bonifacio Avenue is sort of an extension of the North Luzon Expressway. Needless to say, vehicles including trucks pass this main road faster than usual.

Despite this, there is no overpass which pedestrians can use to get across this particular portion of Bonifacio Avenue, a quite crowded place because of the mall’s presence.

Increasing the volume of the crowd is the existence of the high-rise condominiums owned by Ayala and DMCI, marketing of which partly used the nearby mall to entice unit buyers.

I’m sure the construction of the mall and the condominiums was scrutinized by the local government and saw the potential growth in the number of residents and patrons in the area.

However, this corner doubts if the LGU realized the need to build important infrastructures including an overpass for public safety in that locality.

With the unfortunate death of Antolin, maybe the LGU and the owners of the mall and condominiums could work together to avoid another deadly accident in Balintawak by erecting an overpass.

And if they wish to honor the heroic deed of the traffic enforcer, maybe they could name the overpass after Antolin.

For bigtimers like the Ayalas and the Consunjis, magkano lang ba naman ang pagpapatayo ng isang overpass mga bos? Pagtulungan n’yo na ang ‘Antolin Overpass’.

Otherwise, the poor traffic enforcer died in vain.

In the meantime, I take comfort from the fact that the welfare of other traffic enforcers is promoted by the state.

Owing to the intense summer heat, traffic enforcers as well as street sweepers will be entitled to a 30-minute heat stroke break and water break starting from April 1 until May 31.

There will be summer heat stroke break and water break for MMDA Traffic enforcers and street sweepers against exhaustion, heat stroke, and heat cramps due to the current severe heat waves in the metropolis.

MMDA spokesperson Melissa Carunungan said to further protect the health safety of field personnel, the MMDA has partnered with private companies that will distribute free water and energy drinks to deployed enforcers and street sweepers to avoid dehydration.

In case the temperature reaches the 40 degrees Celsius heat discomfort index, these field workers will be given an additional 15-minute break time.

To encourage its personnel to observe a healthy lifestyle and better take care of their bodies, the MMDA, through its Traffic Discipline Office recently launched its “Batak Trapiko” program where more than a hundred traffic enforcers participated.

In line with the observance of the Holy Week, the MMDA will set up a multi-agency command center starting April 3, to monitor the actual status of major transport hubs such as bus terminals, seaports and airports.

The agency will also conduct joint inspections in various bus terminals before Holy Week.

The multi-agency task force will be composed of the MMDA,Land Transportation Office, the Philippine National Police and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board in case there is a need to issue special permits.

The MMDA alone is ready to deploy a total of 2,104 personnel to monitor major thoroughfares in Metro Manila.

It will also implement a “no day-off, no absent” policy for its deployed personnel for April 5, 6, and 10, while a skeletal deployment will be in place on April 7, 8, and 9 that will focus on the ‘Visita Iglesia’.

The number coding scheme will also be suspended from April 6 to 10.

Meanwhile, those planning to go back to their home province for the Holy Week were advised to book their tickets early to avoid long lines and ending up as chance passengers.

For motorists passing by Commonwealth Avenue daily, be reminded of the strict implementation of the exclusive motorcycle lane which started recently. Through this new policy, road crash incidents and heavy traffic will be avoided.

Ingat mga kapatid.

**

For comments, please call or text 09569012811 or email [email protected]