MMDA revives 136 Troopers, urges public to report floods, emergencies via hotline

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is reviving its 136 Troopers volunteer network and encouraging residents to use Hotline 136 to report floods, traffic disruptions, and other emergencies as Metro Manila prepares for the onset of the southwest monsoon season and the reopening of classes.

During the Bagong Pilipinas Public briefing on Wednesday, MMDA General Manager Nicolas Torre III said, the initiative aims to strengthen coordination between communities and authorities, allowing the agency's command center to quickly identify and respond to incidents on the ground.

"Kasama sa mga nagiging programa namin na meri-reintroduce natin at binibigyan ng emphasis ngayon sa ating mga kababayan, lalo na sa barangay, ay ang paggamit ng ating hotline 136."

(One of the programs we are reintroducing and emphasizing among our citizens, especially in barangays, is the use of our Hotline 136.)

Torre said the MMDA is organizing "136 Troopers," a network of volunteers who can help relay reports and concerns from communities to authorities.

"So meron tayong ino-organize ang mga 136 troopers, ito ang mga volunteers at tumatanggap tayo hanggang ngayon ng mga volunteers na ganyan."

(We are organizing 136 Troopers, who are volunteers, and we continue to accept volunteers for the program.)

According to Torre, reports coursed through Hotline 136 enable the MMDA to determine the specific needs of affected areas and prioritize its response accordingly.

"At tatawag lang sa ating hotline 136 at para malaman ng ating command center kung ano ang pangangailahan specifically sa isang lugar at yan ang ating pinaprioritize sa ating responde."

(Residents only need to call Hotline 136 so our command center can determine the specific needs of an area, and those concerns will be prioritized in our response.)

The initiative forms part of the agency's broader preparations for the rainy season, which include coordination with local government units and barangays, as well as traffic and safety measures ahead of the opening of classes.

This developed as PAGASA announced the start of the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) season on Saturday.

Occasional to frequent rains and thunderstorms are expected over the western parts of the country. "This may lead to the possible onset of the rainy season in the coming days," PAGASA added. Monsoon breaks or rain breaks lasting a few days or weeks may also occur, it said. —RF, GMA News