A ‘no contact apprehension’ program (NCAP) of traffic violators was launched by Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso and Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan on Monday, to do away with arguments, accidents and accusations arising from face-to-face apprehensions between traffic enforcers and motorists and to limit interaction as a measure against COVID transmission.
Domagoso said that the new scheme would mean that 24 hours a day, seven days a week, there will be ‘enforcers’ monitoring traffic violations only, these would be via technology using cameras.
“We appeal to those passing by roads in Manila to cooperate fully because beginning today, these NCAP cameras will be at work,” Domagoso said, citing a test-run done which showed about 700 motorists violating rules in a matter of 24 hours only.
During the launch of the scheme held Monday morning along Quirino Avenue in Malate where he was joined by Lacuna-Pangan and Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau chief Dennis Viaje, it was learned that initially, 36 NCAP cameras have been installed in different areas in the city.
Eventually, Domagoso said that all areas will be covered by the said scheme, saying the discretion will no longer lie on the mayor or any city official for that matter since videos will not lie.
The mayor explained that under the scheme, human interaction will be limited as the cameras installed in strategic locations will capture the violation and then send a bill to the motorist who will have to settle his dues or face them once their vehicle registration or license is due for renewal.
“Anytime you pass by Manila, isipin nýo lagi me nakabantay na pamahalaan. Itong sistemang ito, maiiwasan ang aksidente sa pamamagitan ng kusang disiplina. Para mawala na din ang korapsyong nagaganap kung meron man, maiwasan ang pagtatalo,” he stressed.
“Wag na di kayo magbabayad ng violation fees kasi darating ang oras akala n’yo lusot na kayo tapos pag rehistro ng lisensya o sasakyan, hindi pwede kasi me pending violation kayo sa city. By the time na malaman ninyo, gumulong na penalties so do not disregard,” he warned, adding that the violation fees are high, reaching up to P5,000.
Domagoso said he does not want the city government raising its coffers out of penalties or payments from traffic violations, saying that instead, he would want that the motorists voluntarily discipline themselves.
He also called on pedestrians to use the lanes intended for them and to practice discipline in order to avoid accidents.
Viaje said the pilot areas for NCAP are the following:
Taft and Remedios, España corner Lacson, Quirino cor. Taft, Quirino co. San Marcelino, Quirino cor. M.H. Del Pilar, Taft cor. P. Ocampo, P. Burgos cor. Ma. Orosa, Chinese Gen. Pedestrian, Lacson Avenue and Aragon St., Kalaw and M. H Del Pilar, España cor. Dela Fuente and Vicente Cruz, Abad Santos and Bambang, Abad Santos and Tayuman and Taft and Estrada Street.