MAKATI CITY, Philippines - Don't be surprised if traffic enforcers who flag you down in Makati City will speak to you in fluent English.
Some of city's traffic enforcers will study at renowned modeling and charm development school John Robert Powers International to improve their personality and English-language speaking skills, the city government said on Wednesday.
Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay Jr. said 30 traffic officers from the Makati Department of Public Safety will attend a 2-day "self-management" workshop at a John Robert Powers' branch in the city on Thursday and Friday.
Binay, in a press statement, said the program is part of the city government's efforts to train civil servants who can deliver world-class public service.
Makati traffic enforcers' training program under John Robert Powers started in 2004.
"We believe it is wise to invest in developing credible and respectable civil servants, including traffic officers, who can carry themselves with dignity and perform their duties with utmost professionalism even in difficult situations," Binay said.
He added that the program strengthens Makati's bid to become a major tourist destination in Asia.
"With proper training, our frontline workers will be better able to interact with local and foreign tourists and exemplify genuine Filipino hospitality, a trait admired by peoples around the world," he said.
During the workshop, the traffic enforcers will learn how to improve their image, as well as their interpersonal and communication skills, according to the city government.
They will then be asked to share what they have learned with their colleagues.
"For this training, we have chosen 30 traffic officers currently assigned to critical areas, including the Central Business District, frequented by foreign diplomats, investors, business executives, and tourists," city government human recources chief Vissia Marie Aldon said. - with a report from Henry Atuelan, dzMM
