MANILA, Philippines—The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has reinstated the 30-minute “heat stroke break” for its field personnel, including traffic enforcers and street sweepers, as a precaution against heat-related illnesses amid Metro Manila’s high heat index forecast.

MMDA Chair Don Artes announced the policy’s resumption in a statement on Wednesday, emphasizing that the breaks will be taken alternately among workers in the same area to maintain operational efficiency and ensure continued visibility on the roads.

“We acknowledge the challenges being faced by our traffic enforcers and street sweepers who diligently work in the heat to fulfill their duties and responsibilities — their well-being is crucial,” Artes said.

The directive, formalized through a memorandum circular signed by Artes, is effective from March 3 to May 31.

According to the memorandum, traffic enforcers and street sweepers on duty will be allowed to step away from their posts in shifts to rehydrate, take shelter from the sun, and rest for 30 minutes.

The scheduled breaks will be implemented according to their assigned shifts. 

Additionally, workers may take an extra 15-minute break if the heat index in Metro Manila reaches 40 degrees Celsius or higher.

From Monday to Wednesday, several areas in Central Luzon and Metro Manila experienced “danger” level heat index, prompting schools to either suspend or shift to online modality.