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The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority on May 26 resumed implementation of the no contact apprehension policy on major roads after the Supreme Court partially lifted its temporary restraining order on the policy
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The court decision only covers MMDA’s implementation on major thoroughfares while the TRO for LGUs remains
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During the first day of implementation on May 26, 1,112 traffic violations were recorded, significantly lower than the over 3,900 recorded on May 19 when NCAP was still suspended
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on May 26 resumed implementation of the no contact apprehension policy (NCAP) on major roads after the Supreme Court (SC) partially lifted its temporary restraining order (TRO) on the policy.
The SC on May 20 granted the urgent motion for reconsideration recently filed by MMDA through the Office of the Solicitor General to lift the TRO issued on August 30, 2022. The TRO was issued after several transport groups sought to declare unconstitutional local ordinances issued by various Metro Manila local government units (LGUs) implementing the NCAP.
The partial lifting of the TRO only covers MMDA’s implementation on major thoroughfares while the TRO for the LGUs remain.
With the upcoming rehabilitation of EDSA expected to cause heavier traffic, MMDA earlier said the reinstatement of NCAP “is expected to strengthen the agency’s traffic management along EDSA and other major thoroughfares, utilizing closed-circuit television cameras [CCTVs], digital cameras, and other technology to capture videos and images of traffic violators, record traffic violations, and issue citations.”
READ: Government lines up measures to address EDSA rehabilitation woes
“As the implementation of NCAP resumes, we hope to instill road discipline among motorists,” MMDA said.
“Rest assured that the single ticketing system and new NCAP guidelines have addressed concerns raised in the petition,” it added.
The implementation of NCAP covers circumferential at radial roads in Metro Manila that are under the jurisdiction of MMDA.
These include:
- C1 Recto
- C2 Mendoza, Pres. Quirino Avenue
- C2 Araneta Avenue
- C4 EDSA
- C5 CP Garcia, Katipunan Avenue, Tandang Sora
- R1 Roxas Boulevard
- R2 Taft Avenue
- R3 South Super Highway
- R4 Shaw Boulevard
- R5 Ortigas Avenue
- R6 Magsaysay Boulevard, Aurora Boulevard
- R7 Quezon Avenue, Commonwealth Avenue
- R8 A. Bonifacio
- R9 Rizal Avenue
- R10 Del Pan, Marcos Highway, McArthur Highway
MMDA general manager Romando Artes, in a press briefing on March 26, assured that violations automatically captured by the artificial intelligence (AI) CCTVs are still being manually reviewed by personnel to prevent “very strict” implementation of traffic rules and regulations. He noted for example, that the AI flagged ambulances that used the busway, even when they are allowed. Moreover, Artes said
they will also not be very strict on instances that are due to their shortcomings, such as when proper signages are not installed.
Penalties can be paid online or at the MMDA Redemption Office. The public can also contest or appeal their Notice of Violation online or at the MMDA head office.
During the first day of implementation on May 26, MMDA Traffic Enforcement Group director Atty. Vic Nuñez in a TV interview said they recorded 1,112 traffic violations, significantly lower the 3,900 recorded on May 19 when NCAP was still suspended.
