MANILA — Hundreds of traffic violations were recorded on the first day of the reimplementation of the no-contact apprehension policy (NCAP) on Monday.


The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said 301 traffic violations were monitored from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., which increased to 437 at 2 p.m.
As of 4 p.m., the number ballooned to 582.

The NCAP was halted in 2022 after the Supreme Court issued a temporary restraining order (TRO), which was partially lifted on May 20. 

MMDA Chairman Romando Artes said the policy was necessary to instill discipline.

“Noong 2022 bago ma-TRO ang NCAP, meron lamang pong 114,000 na naitala na violations. Noong 2023, habang hindi naiimplementa ang NCAP, lumobo ang namonitor naming violations although hindi 'yan nai-isyuhan ng ticket, sa 391,000. So halos apat na ulit po ang itinaas,” Artes said in a press confenrece.

“Ibig sabihin po nito 'yung atin pong mga kababayan nung nalaman na nila na wala na pong big brother na nakatingin sa kanila at walang nakikitang enforcer sa ground ay malaya silang nagba-violate,” he added.

Artes said the flagging of violations using CCTV cameras with artificial intelligence would not be arbitrary.

“Although naka-capture po siya ng ating AI, nire-review po lahat 'yan mano-mano. So maiiwasan po 'yung sobrang strict na implementation noon pong mga traffic rules and regulations natin,” he said.

He also clarified that motorists would not be slapped with violations in areas where there are no proper traffic signages and markings.

If a violation was indeed committed, MMDA would notify the motorist through snail mail using the address registered with the Land Transportation Office (LTO).

Artes said that they would soon use text messaging to notify motorists. 

“Meron na po kaming inaayos with telco and LTO. In fact may meeting po kami sa darating na araw, regarding po sa text notice na ang kailangan lamang po naming iwasan ay unang una yung scam dahil marami pong nagpapadala niyan na ‘Uy may huli ka i-click mo ang link na ‘to dito mo bayaran.’ Yan po ay kailangan naming i-address,” he said.

Artes said they were also looking at launching the “May huli ka” application within two weeks, where a person can check if he has a violation.

MMDA reiterated that motorists can contest their violation through the “online filing of contest on traffic apprehension” form, which can be found on the agency’s website or social media page.  

Artes also clarified that an owner who lent his vehicle to a violator will not automatically be made liable.

“Kailangan lang pong mag-file sila sa amin ng affidavit na si A ang nagmamaneho nung time na nag-violate, ito po ang copy ng lisensya niya, naka-attach pero dapat po may affidavit din ng driver admitting na siya ang nagmamaneho…’yan po will require a hearing,” he said.

An appeal may also be submitted at the MMDA office in Julia Vargas Avenue, Barangay Ugong, Pasig.

Although CCTV cameras are being used, traffic enforcers will still be seen on the road, especially since there are areas where these cameras are yet to be installed.

STOP NCAP COALITION

The Stop NCAP Coalition questioned the alleged haste in reimplementing NCAP.

“Alam niyo itong NCAP marami pang kailangan ayusin, kailangan pag-usapan, hindi dapat yan minamadali. Isipin niyo na-lift nung nakaraang linggo ang suspension ng NCAP ng MMDA, aba implementation kaagad… Hindi ready eh,” the group’s convenor Jun De Leon said.   

De Leon is of the belief that the program will not instill discipline.

“Yung mga violation nila doon sa operator naipapadala at late pa ang padala. Kaya nagulat kami milyon milyon na ang binabayaran… Kapag nalaman ng driver po iyon, iniiwanan na lang po ang mga operator… Paano mo madidisiplina kung ang paparusahan mo eh yung hindi naman gumawa ng violation?” he asked.

He also complained about the supposed high fines.

“Parang nagnenegosyo po yung ating gobyerno,” De Leon said. “Nung 2022 ang MMDA NCAP ay P150 to P300 lang violation. Nagulat po kami na bigla na lang lumaki yung mga violation fee, yung mga multa.”

There are different fines for violations.

Based on data from the MMDA, fines for the anti-distracted driving of a PUV driver, for example, is P30,000 with 3 months suspension.

Violation of the Children’s Safety on Motorcyle Act ranges from P3,000 to P10,000.

Artes said there is no corruption in the system.

“Wala po kami sa business ng panguhuli. Ang panguhuli po namin ay para po sa disiplina ng ating mga kababayan,” he said.