The local government units of Valenzuela and Quezon Cities said on Tuesday, Aug. 30, that they will abide by the temporary restraining order (TRO) issued by the Supreme Court (SC) against the implementation of the no-contact apprehension policy (NCAP).
“The Quezon City NCAP program has significantly reduced the traffic violations in the affected areas by 93%. It has shown that it instills a culture of traffic discipline among motorists and we believe that its implementation is legal and proper,” the QC government said in a statement.
“That being said, the Quezon City Government fully respects, and will abide by the Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) issued by the Honorable Supreme Court regarding the implementation of the No Contact Apprehension Program (NCAP),” it added.
Meanwhile, the Valenzuela City government also posted an advisory regarding the TRO on its Facebook page.
“Although the City Government has yet to receive the formal Supreme Court order, the implementation of the No Contact Apprehension Program (NCAP) in Valenzuela City shall be suspended beginning August 30, 2022,” it said.
“Nonetheless, city traffic enforcers will remain active on duty to ensure strict compliance with traffic regulations,” it added
The city government also urged the motorists to practice due diligence in driving to maintain safety on the road.
The SC, in a media briefer on the same day, temporarily stopped the enforcement of the NCAP based on two petitions filed against the policy. It said that “any apprehensions through the NCAP programs and ordinances related thereto shall be prohibited until further orders from the Court.”
The first petition against NCAP was filed by four transport groups, namely Kilusan sa Pagbabago ng Industriya ng Transportasyon, Inc. (KAPIT), Alliance of Transport Operators and Drivers Assocation of the Philippines (ALTODAP), Pangkalahatang Sanggunian Manila and Suburbs Drivers Association Nationwide (Pasang-Masda), and Alliance of the Concerned Transport Organization (ACTO).
They petitioned to declare the policy unconstitutional and invalid.
The mayors of the cities of Manila, Valenzuela, Paranaque, San Juan and Quezon Cities, where the NCAP is being implemented, released a joint statement on Aug. 18 saying that they will push through on the implementation of the policy.
Another petition was filed by lawyer Juman B. Paa, who also pleaded for a TRO to be issued against the implementation of NCAP in Manila.
The SC said that the case was set for oral arguments on Jan. 24, 2023.
Read more: SC issues TRO vs enforcement of no-contact apprehension policy, 5 Metro mayors to push through with NCAP implementation, 2nd case vs no-contact apprehension policy filed with SC; TRO also sought