The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) urged on Monday, Nov. 13, the Supreme Court to lift the Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) it issued against the implementation of no-contact apprehension policy.
Citing their data, MMDA Chairman Don Artes said the number of accidents increased since August last year when the TRO was issued.
“We really need this kind of technology (NCAP) to monitor and implement traffic rules and regulations on Metro Manila roads,” said Artes.
The no-contact apprehension policy, or NCAP, was implemented by the MMDA and other local government units in Metro Manila to make traffic management more efficient.
NCAP utilizes closed-circuit television cameras to capture videos and images to apprehend vehicles violating traffic laws, rules, and regulations.
It was also intended to reduce instances of traffic extortion and bribery of enforcers, as well as to avoid traffic build-up from physically apprehending violators.
More than 107,000 violators were caught through the NCAP since January to Aug. 24 last year. Common violations include disregarding traffic signs, number coding scheme, and no loading and unloading.
In August last year, the High Court issued a TRO based on the petition of several transport groups which questioned its implementation in Manila, Quezon City, Valenzuela City, Muntinlupa City, and Parañaque City.
In questioning the legality of NCAP, transport groups raised the following arguments:
1. That the ordinances of the local government units that legalized the NCAP implementation are violation of the existing statutes, which do not establish, authorize and even mention any no-contact apprehension;
2. That since the wordings of the Republic Act 4136 (Land Transportation and Traffic Code) is clear, any inclusion that include NCAP, is void;
3. That the NCAP implementation violates due process;
4. That the NCAP provisions imposes unreasonable conditions that include non-renewal of the vehicle registration until such time that the fines are settled;
5. And that the NCAP implementation makes innocent third persons liable for traffic violations.