Enforcers told to get in shape

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama has directed all City Traffic Operations Management personnel to practice a healthy lifestyle and be “physically fit”.

Rama said that the directive is in line with the preparation for the upcoming international events that Cebu City is eyeing to host, namely the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit in 2015 and the International Eucharistic Congress in 2016.

“When your stomach is big, you move less,” he said.

Rama said that he wants to see the “physically fit” CITOM personnel manning the traffic in the city streets by February 2015.

CITOM operations chief Joy Tumulak said that CITOM officials will set themselves as an example for their personnel.

“We also take the challenge. Actually ang directive is not only for the CITOM personnel, but also to all City Hall employees. Naka-receive na ang tanan sa memorandum from the executive department about ani,” he said.

It was during their meeting with all CITOM officials when the mayor gave the directive, Tumulak said.

Rama is giving six months to all CITOM personnel to be fit.

“Naa’y sanctions pero depende sa situations. Kon nindot ang record sa iyang performance, maayo mo-trabaho, i-transfer lang siya pero kon bati og performance unya wala pa gyo’y changes, dili na i-renew,” Tumulak said.

Metafit Metabolic Fitness Cebu head coach Alan Choachuy said that losing weight within six months is doable, if discipline in food intake and exercise is being practiced.

He said that the four-minute exercise –the jumping jacks, squats, push-ups and lunges is effective if done every day. He said that it has been proven that the four-minute exercise would burn 400 up to 600 calories.

Choachuy, who lost 125 pounds in six months in the Biggest Loser reality television show, said that the four-minute exercise would be best if accompanied with exercise like jogging, walking, or running three days a week.

“Just basic exercise and control of food intake, no deep fry, losing weight is really possible,” he said, adding that the exercise should be sustained even without going to gym.

Tumulak said that CITOM management will be monitoring the performance of the enforcers like the daily and weekly apprehensions.

“Apil pud tan-awn kon sakto ba ang mga gidakop, wala bay reklamo and ang attendance pud nila if they are really doing their job during duty hours,” he said.

Tumulak said that all CITOM officials and personnel are receptive to the directive since it would help them become more effective law enforcers.

“Gusto man gud ni mayor nga ma-pareha niya tanang empleyado nga walay tiyan and mo-engage og sports. With this, makahatag ta og mas maayong service sa publiko, ug maka-assure ta nga alerto kaayo ang mga tao,” he said, adding that it would also lessen the stress they obtained from their job.

He said that the city government will soon have its zumba session for the City Hall employees.  — /BRP (FREEMAN)