ILOILO City – Mayor Jerry Treñas has vowed to push for higher pay, health benefits, and insurance coverage for Iloilo City’s traffic enforcers, as concerns mount over their exposure to extreme heat and dangerous working conditions.
The mayor made the announcement during Friday last week’s ceremonial destruction of 109 illegally modified mufflers — part of the city’s year-long crackdown on noise pollution — where he also took the opportunity to spotlight the sacrifices of personnel from the Traffic and Transportation Management Office (TTMO).
“These are our frontliners, too,” Treñas emphasized. “They work long hours under the sun and in the rain, even during holidays. They help maintain order, ensure road safety, and uphold discipline on our streets. It’s only right that we protect and compensate them accordingly.”
Treñas said the city is currently exploring the inclusion of quarterly medical check-ups and comprehensive insurance plans for TTMO staff, alongside a potential salary increase. He described the initiatives as “long overdue.”
The call for improved welfare was further amplified by the recent deaths of two traffic enforcers earlier this year — incidents believed to be linked to heat stress despite the implementation of a city-wide “heat stroke break” between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. during the summer months.
TTMO head Uldarico Garbanzos welcomed the mayor’s proposal, calling it a “morale booster” for traffic aides who often remain unsung in public service.
“Our enforcers work tirelessly while others are at home with family or enjoying festivals,” Garbanzos said. “This recognition brings a very big smile to our team.”
Treñas assured that these welfare measures would be studied further and could be institutionalized through budget allocation or local legislation in coordination with the Sangguniang Panlungsod./PN
