The MMDA on Wednesday said it would intensify its physical apprehension of traffic violators and adjust the deployment of traffic personnel after it suspended the No Contact Apprehension Policy or NCAP following an order from the Supreme Court.
The deployment of traffic enforcers will be adjusted to cover areas where NCAP cameras are located, including EDSA, Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon Avenue, Roxas Boulevard, C-5, and Macapagal Boulevard, said MMDA acting spokesperson and head of legal service Cris Saruca Jr. in a statement.
Under NCAP, authorities use CCTV, digital cameras, and other gadgets to capture videos and photos of traffic violators. The Supreme Court, however, issued a temporary restraining order on the policy's implementation after transport groups challenged its legality.
While the policy has contributed to behavioral shifts among motorists, Saruca said the MMDA will do its best to manage traffic in Metro Manila efficiently even without the NCAP.
“Rest assured that the MMDA will do its best to carry out our traffic management mandate by apprehending physically and directing traffic physically, as we await final resolution on the NCAP case,” he added.
Collection of NCAP fees will also be suspended for traffic violators who have been apprehended after issuance of the Supreme Court TRO, Saruca said. Violations that took place before the restraining order was issued will still be subject to penalties.
Around 107,000 apprehensions were made from January until Aug. 24 this year, Saruca said, most of which are for disregarding traffic signs, number coding scheme, and no loading and unloading.
“The Supreme Court said that the TRO is effective immediately and shall continue until further notice, hence, it is prospective, and those who have been caught through the policy prior to the issuance of the TRO still have to pay their fines,” he added.
Saruca said the MMDA will seek the advice of the Office of the Solicitor General on its next action. For now, he hoped that the motorists will maintain their discipline along the road to ensure smooth traffic flow and safety even without the NCAP.
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