370 NCAP violations recorded in Manila

MANILA, Philippines —   Up to 370 violations of the no-contact apprehension policy (NCAP) have been recorded by the Manila city government.

During the testing phase, the city’s Traffic and Parking Bureau captured 190 violations on Monday and 180 more on Tuesday.

Mayor Isko Moreno said he is open to a universal NCAP system that would include ticketing, contest and implementation, if directed by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

Under different systems, violators can check citation tickets on a local government unit (LGU)’s NCAP portal and the MMDA’s May Huli Ka platform.

‘No duplicate violations’

The Quezon City government and MMDA have assured the public that there will be no duplication of notices of violation under the NCAP.

At Tuesday’s briefing, MMDA Chairman Romando Artes said the agency has coordinated with other city governments “not to install cameras in the same location.”

“We have established boundaries where cameras for the MMDA and the local government unit would be placed,” Artes said. “Definitely there would be no duplicate violations captured both by the LGU and MMDA.”

Dexter Cardenas, head of the Quezon City traffic and transport management department, said NCAP cameras are being installed at road intersections one at a time.

“At the NCAP location, there will be a prominent sign that the intersection has NCAP from QC,” Cardenas told The STAR. 

Quezon City is still in the “testing phase” of the NCAP system, with pilot reimplementation targeted next week, he said.

“We’re still testing the capabilities of the cameras. Likewise, we are ensuring the painting of lane markings and installation of appropriate traffic signage at intersections,” Cardenas said.

“Otherwise, if the markings are not clear and signage is not oriented, there will be errors,” he pointed out.

Aside from Quezon City and Manila, Muntinlupa and San Juan City have restored the NCAP since Monday.

Parañaque and Valenzuela deferred reimplementation.

NCAP scammers

Scammers sending fraudulent NCAP alerts are facing a crackdown by the Philippine National Police.

PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. ordered the Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) to intensify its monitoring of bogus text messages faking unsettled traffic violations.

Stressing that government platforms should never become a hunting ground for scammers, Nartatez directed the ACG to identify and charge scammers.

To strengthen public trust, Nartatez said they are coordinating with the MMDA and other agencies in securing systems for NCAP-related transactions and services.

Excessive fines?

The NCAP will result in “excessive” fines, according to transport group Piston.

In a statement, the group said NCAP and all traffic schemes involving exorbitant fines constitute an attack on drivers’ livelihoods and public transportation itself.

“NCAP is portrayed as a measure for traffic discipline and commuter protection. In reality, it is a collusion involving bureaucrat-capitalists – politicians who treat governance as a business – and technology contractors,” Piston said.

“For a long time, the government has squeezed public transport drivers and turned them into a ‘cash cow’ for the corrupt through excessive fines and extortion,” the group said.

Piston called for the scrapping of NCAP, stressing that traffic management should not be treated as a “business venture, but as a public service.” – Emmanuel Tupas, Josiah Antonio