MMDA to Reinstate No-Contact Apprehension Policy Nationwide
Starting Monday, May 26, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will resume the No-Contact Apprehension Policy (NCAP) on all roads under its jurisdiction. This includes major thoroughfares like EDSA, C-5 Road, Commonwealth Avenue, Ortigas Avenue, Roxas Boulevard, and the Mabuhay Lanes.
Local authorities have announced that the NCAP will be fully implemented across Metro Manila to strengthen traffic law enforcement without direct physical apprehension. To support this, the MMDA plans to install an additional 1,000 closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras in key locations throughout the metropolis.
How the No-Contact Apprehension Policy Works
The policy relies on CCTV technology to identify vehicles violating traffic rules. Instead of traffic enforcers stopping drivers on the road, these cameras will automatically capture traffic violations. Notices of these violations will then be sent directly to the registered address of the vehicle owners through the Land Transportation Office.
According to sources familiar with the matter, this system aims to ease traffic congestion, especially during the upcoming rehabilitation of EDSA scheduled for June. Stopping violators on busy roads often causes lane blockages and delays, but the NCAP removes this hurdle by issuing citations without interrupting traffic flow.
Procedure for Contesting Violations
Motorists who receive violation notices will still have the right to due process. They can contest the tickets by submitting a form available on the MMDA’s official website or Facebook page. This online process eliminates the need to visit MMDA offices in person.
Authorities will also provide video evidence of the violation to help motorists understand the situation clearly. This transparent approach ensures fairness and allows drivers to present any valid reasons or explanations.
Review and Flexibility in Enforcement
Before sending out violation notices, MMDA personnel will review each case to avoid errors. The artificial intelligence system used in the CCTV cameras is strict and may not consider certain justifiable circumstances, such as a motorist swerving to avoid obstacles not accounted for in the system.
This human oversight helps prevent wrongful citations and ensures that only valid violations are penalized.
Background on the Suspension and Resumption of NCAP
The NCAP was temporarily halted after transport groups filed a petition challenging its legality. They argued that the policy denied vehicle owners due process since citations were sent to registered addresses regardless of who was driving the vehicle at the time.
The petition also raised concerns about the policy’s consequences, such as withholding vehicle registration renewals until fines are settled and the unfair liability placed on innocent third parties.
On May 20, the Supreme Court lifted the temporary restraining order that had stopped the policy since August 2022. Following this, the MMDA moved quickly to reimplement the NCAP across Metro Manila.
The resumption of the No-Contact Apprehension Policy marks a significant step toward modernizing traffic enforcement and reducing road congestion in the capital region.
For more news and updates on the No-Contact Apprehension Policy, visit Filipinokami.com.