To help keep students safe on the first day of school, 31 Municipal Traffic Safety Officers (MTSO) were deployed to 27 schools in Mangaldan, Pangasinan.

The officers are tasked with assisting students as they cross roads, especially during peak school hours. They are also expected to watch over the safety of parents and teachers entering school premises.

According to the local government, the MTSOs will stay on duty from morning until the end of class hours.

Aside from traffic duties, they are also responsible for discouraging students from skipping class or climbing school fences.

"Katuwang din pong MTSO 'yung pagsita din doon sa mga estudyante na mag-'over the bakod.’ Kasi kapag 'yun lumabas at may nangyari sa kanila, siyempre may pananagutan din 'yung school. Siyempre d’yan, sisisihin 'yung mga security at MTSO," Ernie de Vera Quison, MTSO supervisor, said.