MANILA -- The head of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority on Tuesday said he would push for hazard pay for traffic enforcers, whose work exposes them to pollutants.

Traffic enforcers on EDSA are vulnerable to high blood pressure, edema and respiratory problems due to exposure to black carbon and heavy metals, according to a study by scientist Emmanuel Baja.

"Welcome na welcome po 'yan," MMDA Chairman Danilo Lim said of the Baja's suggestion to compensate traffic aides for an occupational hazard.

"We have made some moves before para mag-request ng hazard pay, 18 years na. Every year naman gumagawa tayo ng recommendations para maayos yan," he told reporters.

(We welcome that. We have some moves before to request hazard pay, for 18 years. Every year, we make recommendations to fix that.)

The MMDA has been providing medicine and insurance support for its enforcers, he said.

Some traffic enforcers are classified as casual and job order employees, who are not entitled to benefits, Lim said.