7 former ‘solvent’ boys hired as Manila traffic enforcers, social workers

BY ANDREA ARO

Seven young men, who were previously arrested for sniffing “solvent’, have been given a new lease on life after they were hired by the city government of Manila as traffic enforcers and social workers.

Leo Francisco Bantuas and Rafa Ayoste Acebedo, two of the said seven men, have been employed in the Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau (MTPB) as traffic enforcers. They were deployed to Tondo, Manila, after finishing their two-month training.

“Nakikita ho namin na masigasig na pumapasok para maging traffic enforcer. Talagang gustong magbagong buhay,” Wilson Chan, MTPB chief operations officer, said in an interview on Monday.

Meanwhile, Jimbert Abaigar, Jay R. Abaigar, Richard Murio, Mikko Paul Padilla, and Jonathan Arellano were hired as part of the Manila Department of Social Welfare’s (MDSW) rescue team.

MDSW Director Re Fugoso said the five men were found during one of the social welfare department’s rescue operations. They initially resisted going with the city government workers but eventually cooperated and later joined the department as social workers.

The newly hired social workers were presented to Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso, who personally handed them their first salary, on February 5.

“Dati kayo ang hinahabol…ngayon kayo na manghahabol. Minsan kailangan n’yo lang pagtiwalaan ang inyong pamahalaan,” Domagoso said.

The Manila mayor also warned them not to revert to their old lifestyle nor use their new position to abuse others.

“Wag kayo mangongotong ha. Kundi kokotongan ko kayo. Dignidad ang gawin n’yong kayamanan ninyo,” he said.

The local chief executive also acknowledged Fugoso, Manila Police District-Dagupan police community precinct chief Capt. Gerry Tubera, and Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau (MTPB) Director Dennis Viaje for giving the former delinquents a chance to have a better life.