THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) assured the public that all traffic violators apprehended under the No Contact Apprehension Policy (NCAP) are subject to a thorough manual review and verification process to ensure accuracy and fairness.
This assurance followed the agency’s approval of an appeal made by a motorist cited under the NCAP for allegedly violating the number coding scheme last September.
The complainant, identified only as Mr. Escano, contested his traffic violation citation through the MMDA Traffic Adjudication Division online filing platform.
The motorist insisted that his car was registered as an electric vehicle and is exempt from the number coding scheme in accordance with Republic Act 11697, also known as the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA Law).
MMDA chairman Romando Artes approved the appealed traffic violation and apologized to Escano.
Of the 40,000 who were caught and given citation tickets, the agency maintained that this was only an isolated case.
“Although the system is not perfect, it does not negate the success and purpose of the program,” said Artes.
The MMDA chief stated that Escano’s case demonstrated the effectiveness and efficiency of the contest mechanism of the Traffic Adjudication Division.
“It also shows the agency’s openness to correcting errors and deficiencies in the system,” he said.
NCAP uses closed-circuit television cameras, digital cameras, and other technologies to capture videos and images of vehicles violating traffic laws, rules, and regulations. It was created to complement the presence of MMDA traffic enforcers.
The MMDA resumed the NCAP following a Supreme Court decision that partially lifted the temporary restraining order (TRO) that had been in place since August 30, 2022.
The NCAP initiative was agreed upon by the MMDA and the 17 mayors of Metro Manila to address traffic rules violations and improve vehicular flow in the metropolis.
Common violations among motorists included illegal turns, disregarding traffic signs, and illegal parking. Additionally, some drivers have been cited for violating the Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program (UVVRP), commonly known as the number coding scheme.
Other frequent violations involved non-use of helmet, failure to use seat belts, speeding, and loading or unloading in prohibited zones.
