MMDA: Over 580 violations monitored on first day of NCAP resumption so far

A total of 582 violations have been monitored on the first day of the resumption of the No Contact Apprehension Policy (NCAP) as of Monday afternoon, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said.

In an update, the MMDA said these violations were recorded from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Most of the violations involved the disregard of traffic signs and the illegal use of the EDSA busway, according to the MMDA.

NCAP is a policy that uses closed-circuit television, digital cameras and/or other gadgets or technology to capture videos and images to apprehend vehicles violating traffic laws, instead of traffic enforcers on the ground.

Violators can pay fines later online or at the MMDA office.

The implementation of NCAP resumed after the Supreme Court (SC) partially lifted the temporary restraining order (TRO) against the policy, allowing only the MMDA to implement the policy.

In August 2022, the SC issued the TRO against NCAP being implemented by some local government units in Metro Manila.

The order came after transport groups Kapit, Pasang Masda, Altodap, and the Alliance of Concerned Transport Organizations filed a petition against local ordinances related to the NCAP in five cities (Manila, Quezon City, Valenzuela, Muntinlupa, and Parañaque) in Metro Manila.

One of the contested aspects of the NCAP involves the payment of fines in which the registered owners, not the drivers, of public and private vehicles are the ones who are asked to pay for the penalties.

Transport groups also described the policy as unconstitutional. — Joviland Rita/RSJ, GMA Integrated News