MANILA, Philippines – Motorists in Makati City who will experience traffic problems past 5 pm can now expect an investigator from the Makati Public Safety Department (MAPSA) to help resolve their concerns.
This is because the work shift of MAPSA’s traffic investigators has been extended to 10 pm from Mondays to Fridays to help resolve traffic concerns that would occur beyond office hours.
Acting Mayor Romulo “Kid” Peña Jr announced on Tuesday, October 27, that he had ordered the MAPSA Internal Affairs Office (IAO) to add a 2-10 pm shift aside from the regular 8 am-5 pm shift of its traffic investigators.
The new shift took effect as early as September 21, in fact, but was announced by the mayor only on Tuesday.
Peña said this directive aims to “speedily resolve traffic issues especially with the advent of the holiday season.” (READ: Metro Manila has 'worst traffic on Earth' – Waze)
“Now that the additional shift is being implemented, people no longer have to wait for the following day to be assisted, or until Monday for the resolution of their traffic-related concerns. These include complaints about towed vehicles and related incidents that may happen on a late Friday afternoon,” Peña said in a statement sent to reporters.
The MAPSA-IAO investigates vehicular accidents and towed vehicles reported in Makati. The department also handles complaints raised by motorists concerning traffic enforcers in the city as well as other forms of irregularities in the administration of traffic rules in Makati.
Newly appointed IAO investigator Joseph Torrecampo Marzan serves during the 2-10 pm shift.
“Those who have been involved in vehicular accidents are satisfied with our service as they can already air their side and concern with us even after 5 pm. Before, people got angry because they still had to wait for the opening of our office the following day,” Marzan said.
IAO investigator Gilmar Simangan shared the sentiments in a phone interview with Rappler on Tuesday.
“Okay po sa amin ['yung bagong shift] kasi may [traffic enforcers] po kaming naka-duty hanggang madaling araw,” Simangan said. (The traffic investigators are okay with the new shift because we have traffic enforcers on duty even in early in the morning anyway.)
Batches of MAPSA traffic enforcers are deployed in the streets of Makati 24 hours every day to oversee the traffic and the safety of motorists and commuters who pass by the city. – Rappler.com