The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority provided free face shields and reflectors to motorists along EDSA, as seen in a recent viral video on Facebook.
Metro Manila is among the places currently placed under the general community quarantine that lifts the suspension on some modes of public transport and allows partial resumption of businesses.
In a video uploaded by foreign vlogger Gadgets Addict last Monday, MMDA traffic czar Edison “Bong” Nebrija was seen flagging commuters who were only wearing plastic visors instead of the mandatory face shields.
Gadgets Addict became a huge part of the activities of MMDA’s Special OPS Team for years. The vlogger follows the task force’s operations, records them and posts them on Facebook and YouTube.
In the short clip, instead of slapping them with fines, Nebrija reminded them about the policy first and then proceeded to provide them with free face shields.
Aside from the MMDA, members of the Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG), the Freemasons Charity and the Brixton Hills Fire Volunteers also helped in offering free face shields to commuters and motorists.
They also provided reflective vests to cyclists and motorcycle riders to help reduce accidents along the main thoroughfare.
“The MMDA continue to give free face shields to commuters who came unprepared. MMDA, HPG and Brixton Fire Volunteers also assisted the Freemasons Charity in distributing free reflective vests to cyclists and motorcycle riders on EDSA, to make them more visible and hopefully reduce accidents,” the caption read.
The post had since earned 6,400 shares and more than 56,000 reactions on the social networking site.
While majority of the comments section supported the initiative, some Facebook users raised concerns on the bicycle lanes along EDSA, citing bad sewer covers or parked vehicles.
READ: Environmental org invites NCR residents to push for permanent bike lanes
Free reflectors and face shields
The reflective vests are not part of the minimum health protocols the Department of Transportation enforced to Filipinos in areas under GCQ.
In a separate post, Nebrija, also the commander of MMDA’s Special task force who usually posts traffic violation and rules updates online, announced that the free reflective vests or strips is just part of MMDA’s Maging Ligtas Project, which aims to reduce road-related accidents.
Wearing the high visibility and reflective strips would help cyclists and motorcycle rides become more visible to one another along the road.
They managed to give away over 900 reflective vests.
The Maging Ligtas Project of the Manila – Mt. Lebanon Lodge #1 , F. & A. M. GLOFAMP, The Grand Lodge of the Philippines…
Posted by Edison Bong Nebrija on Monday, September 7, 2020
The MMDA issued the same statement on its official Facebook page. It also attached photos of the various groups who participated in the program.
“Nais ng MMDA na bigyang prayoridad ang kaligtasan ng mga bicycle at motorcycle riders sa pamamagitan ng paniniguro ng visibility nila sa daan,” the traffic authority said.
Mahigit 900 reflectorized vests ang naipamigay ng MMDA, Grand Lodge of the Philippines (Freemasonry), at PNP-HPG sa mga…
Posted by MMDA on Monday, September 7, 2020
In compliance with the recommendation of the Inter-Agency Task Force for Emerging Infectious Diseases, the DOTR had required Filipinos to wear face shields in public places, including aviation, railway, road and maritime sectors since August 15.
Based on DOH’s specifications, face shields should cover the whole face and provide good visibility to the wearer.
