The newly-formed Swift Traffic Action Group (STAG) of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority has commenced its operations in La Salle Greenhills, Ortigas, Mandaluyong City, in response to the rising number of No Contact Apprehension Policy (NCAP) violators in the vicinity.
STAG chief Edison Nebrija Jr. said traffic buildup in the area is primarily caused by parents and guardians dropping off and picking up students.
“Parents often remain in the area when their children are dropped off with their nanny, and they wait for the nanny to return, which leads to parking that obstructs the traffic behind them,” Nebrija stated.
Since July, the MMDA has recorded 1,556 NCAP violators in the area. Most of the violations were illegal parking, obstruction, and unauthorized loading and unloading that occurred during school peak hours.
The STAG team used body cameras to conduct traffic direction and assist motorists and school buses. The body cameras are linked to the MMDA Communications and Command Center to ensure real-time monitoring and documentation of on-ground operations.
MMDA chair Romando Artes assured there will be no overlapping of functions between STAG and the agency’s Special Operations Group – Task Force for Road Clearing (SOG-TFRC), led by Traffic Operations Officer III Gabriel Go.
He said STAG focuses on no-contact apprehension using body cameras, while SOG-TFRC is equipped with tow trucks for the physical clearing of illegally parked vehicles, including towing when necessary.
