A lawmaker is calling for an investigation by Congress into the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority’s (MMDA) no-contact apprehension policy or NCAP, expressing concerns that it could breed corruption.
Rep. Robert "Ace" Barbers of Surigao del Norte wants NCAP investigated by the House of Representatives
In a privilege speech delivered Tuesday, Surigao del Norte Representative Robert "Ace" Barbers said his office had received complaints from apprehended motorists over excessive fines and a supposed lack of due process.
“This NCAP system is laudable since the intent is to discipline erring, abusive, or wayward drivers. But the implementors, I was told, are imposing excessive fines and could be violating the Constitution since there is no due process of law,” he said. “Likewise, there is no law, ordinance or regulation prohibiting vehicle registration due to non-payment of fines for traffic violations.”
Barbers pointed out that while NCAP should be implemented by the MMDA in coordination with the Land Transportation Office (LTO), a number of local government units (LGUs) such as Manila, Quezon City, and Valenzuela have their own versions. This, he said, makes drivers prone to be penalized more than once for the same violation by different jurisdictions.
Manila is one of the cities in the metropolis implementing NCAP
The solon called for transparency, adding that the public should be informed on the details of NCAP, such as how the technology works, issues relating to security, and accountability on the part of authorities. “We need further enlightenment on this policy so that there would be less or no more complaints from motorists in the days to come,” he said.
The LTO earlier urged LGUs to suspend the implementation of NCAP pending a review and refinement of its guidelines, with the MMDA saying that it will respect the LGUs’ decision on the issue.
In a report by GMA News, a number of cities implementing NCAP are opposing calls to suspend it. “Bukas naman kami sa penalties kung babaguhin yan, kaya lang, I think there are other cities that also have the NCAP,” said Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte.
(We are open to revising the penalties if needed, but I think there are other cities that also have the NCAP.)
She adds any decision on NCAP would have to be agreed upon by the concerned cities unanimously.
Quezon City's main NCAP proponent, Rep. Franz Pumaren, says he is open to fine-tuning the policy
Valenzuela City Mayor Wes Gatchalian also credits NCAP with apprehending over 200,000 violators in his jurisdiction since the program was implemented in 2019.
“Yung kotong lalabas diyan. Number 2, sino ang may mali, turuan…minsan kawawa rin yung traffic enforcer namin dito, abused na rin verbally, emotionally, physically…may ebidensiya, ginawa mo ito, bayaran mo. Kung hindi naman, mayroon naman kaming adjudication committee,” he said.
(We’ve gotten rid of bribery. Number 2, whoever makes a mistake, teach them the right way. Sometimes, our traffic enforcers here are abused verbally, emotionally, physically. There is evidence, you did it, pay for it. Otherwise, we have an adjudication committee.)
City mayors argue that there is an adjudication committee to settle NCAP disputes
Commuter group Passenger Forum (PF) is also against the suspension of NCAP, noting that traffic violations were reduced by 80 and 30 percent in Bataan and Quezon City, respectively.
“Gusto natin may certainty of apprehension. Ibig sabihin, nahuhuli ang mga lumalabag. Tapos kung kelan natin papalabasin ang mga kabataan, saka natin tatanggalin…kahit papaano, naging safe ang ating mga kalsada,” said PF Convenor Primo Morillo.
(We want the certainty of apprehension. This means violators are caught. Just as we are about to send children back to school, we are going to remove NCAP? It has somehow made our roads safer.)
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