METRO MANILA: IS IT NOW NCAP READY?

The Supreme Court issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) last August 2022 prohibiting the implementation of Metro Manila’s no-contact apprehension policy (NCAP) for traffic violators.

NCAP-related programs and ordinances are halted by the TRO, and any arrests made in accordance with the aforementioned policy and regulations “shall be prohibited until further orders from the Court.” The order also prohibited any government agencies, towns, or municipalities enforcing NCAP programs and ordinances from receiving motorist information from the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and any parties operating on its behalf. However, on June 14, 2023, renewed calls for NCAP to be reinstated gained steam following a deadly accident involving a motorcycle driver and an SUV in the EDSA Shaw Boulevard tunnel. The former was struck by a tanker driver who was traveling in the next lane when both drivers were in the EDSA Carousel Bus Lane.

Because of this, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) wasted no time in coordinating with the Office of the Solicitor General in the filing of a motion before the Supreme Court to consider lifting the temporary restraining order on the implementation of the NCAP.

It’s sad to know that a gruesome incident had to happen but aside from this, MMDA acting chairman Romando Artes said they will use the data they obtained in the past months showing an increase in the number of road accidents and traffic violations after the NCAP was suspended in August last year.

“We find it difficult to enforce the exclusivity of the said lane without the certainty of a CCTV-assisted apprehension, thereby exposing our motorcycle riders to a greater risk,” said Artes. “We keep on reminding motorists not to use the innermost lane of EDSA as it may result in an accident, but despite our repeated calls and pleas, many drivers of privately-owned vehicles and motorcycle riders disregard the policy,” Artes added.

Aside from MMDA, Metro Manila Council President and San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora is also leading the discussion to raise the TRO on NCAP.

According to Zamora, MMDA data shows from August 2022 to May of the present year has already resulted in an average of 25,926 per month as compared to a monthly average of 9,500 before NCAP was suspended.

“This data shows that we have more than a double increase in the number of violations. Having been Mayor of San Juan for the last four years, it is close to impossible to have traffic enforcers all over the city of San Juan, more so all over the entire Metro Manila. Having NCAP deters motorists from committing traffic violations” shared Zamora.

For those with an interest in road safety, NCAP represents a step forward, in terms of our enforcement of traffic laws.

In the few months it was implemented in San Juan, Quezon City, Manila, Valenzuela City, Muntinlupa City and Paranaque City, NCAP did bring benefits that some would say were unfairly ignored in the debate.

These cities that have fully implemented NCAP cited decrease in obstructions, choking of traffic from apprehended vehicles, reckless driving, and hazardous motorists’ habits.

It is terrible that we had to wait for a deadly accident before we could appreciate NCAP’s advantages. And aside from this occurrence, most people concur that it is now appropriate to lift the TRO. The handheld gadget for the Single Ticketing System (STS) will undergo a pilot test in July under the direction of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), with NCAP having already addressed many of the public’s concerns.

With the STS in place, the local government entities in Metro Manila would be able to firmly enforce traffic regulations while also harmonizing the current national and local laws on traffic enforcement to create an efficient transport and traffic management system.