The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has sanctioned several employees for violating measures under the enhanced community quarantine meant to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
MMDA Chairman Danilo Lim ordered that penalties and administrative sanctions be meted against errant employees who refused to follow the mandatory quarantine measures.
“We are very serious in our battle against COVID-19. We cannot afford to waste the agency’s efforts because of some employees who are blatantly disregarding the ECQ guidelines,” Lim stressed.
“We do not condone recklessness and grave misconduct of our personnel.”
“We do not condone recklessness and grave misconduct of our personnel that’s why we ordered sanctions against them,” the traffic chief added.
NO BACKRIDING POLICY VIOLATIONS
On April 29, three traffic personnel were placed under 30-day preventive suspension for violating the “no backride” policy amid the ECQ based on a number of complaints posted on Facebook.
Traffic Aide 3 Enrico Garcia was placed under preventive suspension for violating the “no backride” policy. Garcia was driving his motorcycle with Traffic Aide 1 Dominic Acunin as his backride along EDSA corner Timog Avenue, Quezon City on April 25.
Acunin was likewise placed under 30-day preventive suspension for riding on the motorcycle driven by Garcia along EDSA corner Timog Avenue, Quezon City, amid the implementation of ECQ and physical distancing in accordance with Republic Act 11332 and other rules.
Traffic Aide 3 Angelito Diendo Jr. was also placed on 30-day preventive suspension also for violating the “no backride” policy. Diendo was driving his motorcycle with a backride, whom he identified as his daughter, along Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City on April 25.
“You (Gatos) have committed disgraceful and immoral acts, which are conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the MMDA being a public employee.”
All the personnel who violated the backride policy were also issued traffic violation ticket with a penalty of P5, 000.
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
On April 28, Metro Aide 1 Roel Gatos was terminated from service for alleged physical violence/abuse against his live-in partner, Irene Grace dela Vega and the latter’s minor child. The incident happened on April 26 wherein a concerned citizen called the Office of the Barangay Kaypian, San Jose del Monte, Bulacan and reported a domestic violence at Gatos’ residence. Moreover, a video showing how Irene and her minor child have been brutally assaulted by the respondent circulated on social media.
“Based on the attending facts, it is very clear that you (Gatos) have committed disgraceful and immoral acts, which are conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the MMDA being a public employee,” Lim cited in the resolution.
Some MMDA officials went to the house of Gatos’ live-in partner recently and handed over groceries to aid them during these difficult times. Dela Vega was also offered employment by the agency under the oyster program.
PHYSICAL DISTANCING AND DRINKING IN PUBLIC PLACES VIOLATION
On April 18, Traffic Aide 1 Roger Rondina, and Michaeval Lucina were placed on 90-day preventive suspension for violation of physical distancing measure and drinking in public places amid liquor ban in Makati City. Meanwhile, technical assistant 1 Rene Homecihada, on job order status, was terminated from service for the same violations. The three were caught by authorities having a drinking spree on Gov. Noble Street, Brgy. Guadalupe Nuevo, Makati on April 8 at 5:40 pm.
ROBBERY EXTORTION
Job order contracts of Traffic Enforcers Darwin Reyes and Elmer Balunsat of EDSA Special Traffic Zone were terminated on April 18 for robbery extortion. Both were arrested by Makati City Police on April 17, for extorting money from food delivery motorcycle riders along EDSA Ayala southbound loading and unloading Bay in Barangay San Lorenzo in Makati City
NOT WEARING FACE MASK
Traffic Aide 1 Lucas Alcaraz of the Las Pinas Sector was placed under preventive suspension for not wearing face mask or any protective gear while on duty manning a checkpoint at the Alabang Zapote Road.
MMDA ECQ GUIDELINES FOR EMPLOYEES
Since the first reported case of COVID-19 in the Philippines, the MMDA has put in place safety measures and decontaminating efforts for the health and overall well-being of its employees.
Aside from the continuous and regular temperature checking thru the help of thermal scanners, the agency also installed lavatory along the building’s exit and provided hand sanitizers for each office and its biometrics area. It also regularly disinfects its offices and premises.
The agency also issued internal guidelines that would serve as a guideline and protocol for both officials and employees.
In its memorandum dated March 29, the MMDA required all of its frontline employees to wear face masks to serve as a protection to the virus which come from coughing or sneezing. It also encouraged frequent and thorough handwashing or using of hand sanitizer or alcohol in case soap and water is not available.
The agency also urged social distancing among employees and pressed for telecommuting or work from home setup. Skeletal force is enforced except for offices with frontline services, namely:
– Traffic Enforcement Group
– Public Safety
– Road Emergency Group
– Metrobase
– MMCMMC
– Bus Management Dispatch System
– Pasig River Ferry System
– Site Operations Management Division 1, 2, 3, and 4 under Solid Waste Management Office
The agency is regularly ensuring the protection of its frontliners by providing vitamins, supplements, food packs, and other essentials. MMDA Medical Clinic was also tasked to manage employees exhibiting respiratory symptoms, among others.
Further, the agency has built its own quarantine facility dedicated for its personnel who were exposed to COVID-19 positive patients and for those who conducted rapid tests for employees.
Guidelines on backride policy are also pushed to be followed accordingly. The Department of Transportation earlier banned motorcycle backrides as part of social distancing measures.
Meanwhile, Lim encouraged private citizens to report agency personnel and frontliners violating quarantine protocols.