No jeans and mini skirts, no eating on the job at MMDA

No pants, mini skirts or tight-fitting clothes for female employees; no denims or collarless shirts for male employees.

These were some of the "17 commandments" that were enforced starting yesterday at the Metro Manila Development Authority by new MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando.

The memorandum was issued by Fernando in line with his principle that "change starts from within," as he started the task of transforming the nation’s much-maligned capital region.

The 17 commandments to all MMDA employees are said to be reflective of the hands-on style of their new boss. The memorandum itself was drafted by Traffic Operation Center director Ernesto Camarillo.

But many MMDA employees felt that the new guidelines were too harsh, and whereas before they were used to a very relaxed atmosphere in the office, now they have to conduct themselves in a very professional manner.

The other commandments are: no loitering, maintain cleanliness in the office, smoke only in designated areas, no eating inside the office, strict schedules of breaktime and merienda, no sleeping on the job, no drinking of coffee on desks, clear up tables after work, no cooking and heating water in office, conserve water and electricity, use of phone only for official calls, and no computer games.

For MMDA visitors, the memo directs employees not to entertain persons wearing slippers, shorts or sandos.

Even before the assumption of Fernando as MMDA chairman, many employees including the traffic enforcers were already apprehensive about the former Marikina mayor’s arrival because of his reputation as a no-nonsense administrator.

In his first week at the MMDA, Fernando has been conducting marathon meetings with directors and other MMDA officers to assess and evaluate their performance as well as the state of the agency.

Fernando has vowed to transform Metro Manila into a large-sale replica of Marikina by the time his term ends in 2004.