Deodorant firms told to give product samples to drivers

Manila: A smelly underarm may not be a traffic violation worthy of a ticket, but Metropolitan Manila officials insist that smelling good also will not harm public transport drivers.

In fact, Metro Manila Development Authority Chairman Bayani Fernando is encouraging deodorant makers to give free product samples to these drivers for them to make use of deodorants and colognes into a habit.

It can even encourage more passengers, he added.

Fernando believes that this will make bus and jeepney (mini-bus) drivers more conscious of personal hygiene and learn how deodorants and colognes can make a difference.

Fernando said some companies have expressed willingness to distribute free samples to the drivers. He said the local traffic code requires public transport and taxi drivers to be clean and to observe proper hygiene.

"Drivers should be neat and clean. Drivers also should wear white shirts with collar" he said.

Body odour

He noted that encouraging deodorant producers to distribute samples will give drivers the opportunity to test the products free of charge.

And if all goes well, he said the move will benefit both sides since drivers will start buying deodorants after realising how effective they are against body odour.

Fernando said his campaign against public transport drivers who smell bad goes back to his grade school days.