Muntinlupa Mayor Biazon backs NCR mayors on use of technology in solving traffic

Muntinlupa Mayor Ruffy Biazon threw his support behind the five Metro Manila mayors in their use of technology in solving the perennial traffic problem in the metropolis and said he is now reviewing the implementation of the No-Contact Apprehension Program (NCAP) in Muntinlupa City.

"I am for the use of technology in traffic management. As for specifically the NCAP, I would like to hear the issues raised since we are still in the process of reviewing the IRR . It’s for that reason that we have not yet implemented the program even before the controversy broke out," Biazon told the Manila Bulletin on Aug. 18.

The NCAP ordinance was passed by the Muntinlupa City Council in October last year but it has not been implemented.

The mayors of the cities of Manila, Valenzuela, Parañaque, Quezon City, and San Juan have issued a joint statement to say that they will continue to implement the NCAP despite a Supreme Court petition filed by transport groups questioning the policy.

In the statement, the mayors said they “have joined together on a common stance to continue the implementation of NCAP within our respective territorial jurisdictions and vow to continuously improve infrastructure and road conditions foreseeing the need for a safer environment for our constituents.”

Biazon said he did not sign the statement as Muntinlupa has not implemented NCAP although there are already an ordinance and contract that were approved by the previous administration.

“Ganunpaman, nakikiisa ako sa layunin ng mga mayors ng Manila, Valenzuela, Parañaque, Quezon City at San Juan na gumamit ng teknolohiya para mabigyan ng makabagong solusyon ang problema sa traffic (However, I am one with the goal of the mayors of Manila, Valenzuela, Parañaque, Quezon City and San Juan to use technology to provide modern solution to the traffic problem),” said Biazon.

He added, “Naniniwala ako na ang makabagong paraan na ito, bukod sa magbibigay solusyon sa pagdidisiplina sa mga gumagamit ng kalsada, mababawasan, kundi tuluyang matatanggal, ang pagkakataon ng pangongotong at makakadagdag sa revenue ng lokal na pamahalaan. (I believe that this modern way, aside from giving solution in disciplining those who use the road, it will minimize, if not totally eliminate extortion, and it will add to the revenue of the local government).”

Biazon said that under Republic Act 7160, the Local Government Code of 1991, local government units have the power to regulate the use of roads and raise funds for this purpose.