For good deed gone viral, traffic aide gets award

MANILA, Philippines – The unsuspecting star of a good deed gone viral received a formal award from his superiors on Monday, March 24.

In a statement, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said it awarded traffic enforcer Reynaldo Romano “a Marangal badge, a medal, a certificate of commendation, and a cash reward.” 

Romano was also given a salary increase and his children, college scholarships and slots in the MMDA’s summer job program.

Romano was photographed giving food to a child in Quezon City. The photo became an instant hit online.

The traffic officer, who has been with MMDA for over 12 years, said he didn’t see anything grand in what he did. During the MMDA’s flag raising ceremonies on March 24, Romano said the young girl told him she had not yet eaten since that morning. It was already 3:30 pm.

“Good thing I still had P30 in my pocket,” recalled Romano, who bought the girl rice, pansit, and water.

The MMDA said Romano will also be a speaker during their retraining and reorientation seminars. “It is not every day that we see civil servants like Mr. Romano going out of his way, spending his last money, to feed a hungry street child that he doesn’t even know,” said MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino.

As of posting, the photo of Romano which was originally posted by Top Gear Philippines, has been shared close to 4,000 times. The post also has more than 32,000 “likes” since it was first shared almost two weeks ago. – Bea Cupin/Rappler.com