MMDA to intensify physical apprehension on areas once covered by NCAP 

In light of the Supreme Court’s temporary restraining order (TRO) against the No-Contact Apprehension Policy (NCAP), the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) shared that it will be strengthening its physical apprehension capabilities.  

Traffic enforcers will cover the areas that were once under the watch of the NCAP [Photo: MMDA]

This was mentioned during a press conference where MMDA Acting Spokesperson and head of the MMDA’s Legal Service Atty. Cris Saruca Jr. said that more enforcers will be assigned to areas that were previously covered by the NCAP.  

These areas include busy thoroughfares like EDSA, Quezon Avenue, Roxas Boulevard, the C-5 road, Macapagal Boulevard, and Commonwealth.  

It was also added that the fines incurred after the TRO against the NCAP will no longer be collected. Those apprehensions that were incurred before the TRO though, will still be subject to fines.  

Whether with the NCAP or not, Saruca has stressed that the agency will still perform with every effort in carrying out its traffic management mandate. As mentioned, this will be done with physical apprehensions and directing traffic with actual boots on the ground as they wait for the final decision on the fate of the NCAP.  

The MMDA will also continue to consult with the Office of the Solicitor General regarding the matter, as well as for their next course of action. After all, the MMDA says that it is not the direct respondent in the case in question. They are also looking into whether the agency has to intervene in the pending petition or not.

MMDA  Acting Spokesperson and head of the MMDA’s Legal Service Atty. Cris Saruca Jr. [Photo: MMDA]

According to the MMDA, the NCAP has managed to log around 107,000 apprehensions from the span of January 2022 to August 24, 2022. Most of these violations are concerning the number coding scheme, no loading and unloading violations, and disregarding traffic signs.  

How about you? How do you think this will pan out for the MMDA in the near future? Do you agree with the TRO? And also, can these series of events prompt the MMDA to iron out the kinks that many people have pointed out are present in the NCAP system? 

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