Leg-less traffic aide controls Cebu City traffic with deformed hands

He was born with deformed hands and no legs, but Magdalino "Onkol" Borces is determined to lead a life with purpose.

The 59-year-old works as a traffic aide in Barangay Kasambagan in Cebu City.

Perched on an outpost specially made for him, with a traffic glove on his deformed left hand, he almost looks complete.

"Pag hindi mo talaga pinapansin, lalo na pag naka-traffic gloves,  akala mo kumpleto siya eh," said Barangay Captain Franklyn Ong in a documentary by GMA Public Affairs.

Ong offered him a job as an enforcer because of the worsening traffic situation in Cebu City.

The chief traffic enforcer also wanted to help Onkol because he was smart, hardworking, and patient.

Onkol started his job as a traffic aide at the last week of April with pride and determination.

"Gusto ko magtrabaho. Ayaw ko ng istambay. Tutulong ako sa mga tao, kasi traffic aide yung posisyon ko," he said.

His entire life is crammed into a tiny shack. He has no wife, no children, no family to speak of aside from his niece.

His mother passed away when he was seven years old, and his father died when he was 15.

Onkol has come to terms with all the misfortune in his life.

"May mga motorista, [nakikita] nila sa trapik, walang kamay, walang paa, naawa sila sakin. Sabi ko sa kanila 'OK lang. OK lang po'," he said.

Onkol works from six in the morning to six in the afternoon with two generous breaks in between.

The barangay assigned him to be on duty during peak hours, and he works even when it's raining.

He earns P2,000 a month, which he said is just enough for him and his niece.

"Ang P200, ibibigay ko sa isa kong pamagkin, yung P500 sa akin. Ang P1,000 deposit ko sa bangko, savings," he said.

He gets to work using a pedicab modified to allow his hand to do the pedaling. It is the hand that wears a slipper.

His niece, Rachel Deroda, washes his clothes everyday. Other relatives gives him food.

Despite his condition, Deroda said Onkol was held dear by their loved ones.

"Kahit ganun siya, mahal namin siya. Iisa lang siya, wala na siyang katulad," she said.

Motorists who catch sight of him were also inspired by his dedication.

"Bilib ako diyan, kasi bihira sa mga taong gumagawa ng ganyan. Nakakabilib, nakakainspire," one of them said. —Jessica Bartolome/NB, GMA News