MMDA plans to appeal Supreme Court’s suspension on NCAP

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said it could file a motion for the Supreme Court (SC) to consider lifting the temporary restraining order (TRO) against its no-contact apprehension policy (NCAP).

MMDA wants to bring back the NCAP

This follows a report where a motorcycle rider was involved in a fatal hit-and-run incident at the EDSA Shaw Boulevard tunnel southbound earlier this month. The rider was allegedly struck by a white SUV and was run over by a tanker truck.

The NCAP is a system introduced by the MMDA where digital closed circuit televisions (CCTVs) are used to monitor traffic within Metro Manila. If the MMDA caught a traffic violation through CCTVs, the government agency will send a summons to the violator’s address with a captured image as proof.

The reason for the appeal is to address the increasing number of traffic violations

Since the suspension of the NCAP, the agency said traffic violations have been increasing, hence the plan to bring it back.

In May 2023 alone, the MMDA recorded 32,739 traffic violations, causing road accidents and traffic jams.

“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 MMDA Acting Chairman Atty. Don Artes.

The SC suspended the NCAP last August 2022 following various petitions filed against the policy. One petition argued the NCAP violates a person’s right to privacy. Concerns such as the system could be used for corruption were also raised against the policy.

The NCAP was suspended last August 2022

Corruption is being addressed with the Single Ticketing System (STS), a program aimed to harmonize traffic laws in the different cities of Metro Manila. Part of the STS is handheld devices, which can automatically generate an electronic temporary operator’s permit (E-TOP) instead of physical tickets.

No timeline was given as to when we can expect the MMDA to appeal the NCAP suspension formally. But until then, motorists have to deal with traffic enforcers in traffic violation apprehensions.

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