Is there an urgent need for MMDA No-Contact Apprehension Policy (NCAP) to be reinstated?
We all remember when the MMDA NCAP was in full effect, right? That was a time when mounted cameras or enforcers with cameras were all around the primary thoroughfares snapping photos and taking videos of erring motorists which led to “love letters” being sent to them, calling their attention to their violations.
At the end of August 2022, the No Contact Apprehension Policy was ordered to stop and since then, law enforcers have taken to the ground conducting real-time apprehensions. How’s that been coming along so far?
Number of traffic violations since NCAP suspension released by MMDA
Photo: Metro Manila Development Authority
Before we begin, do keep in mind that the numbers you see below are the violations and apprehensions tallied by the MMDA since the NCAP was suspended. From the day that it stopped implementation, August 30, a total of 97,312 violations were recorded until the end of December 2022.
Fast forward to 2023 – a year with no No Contact Apprehension Policy – the total tally was 391,117 violations. So how are we doing so far this year? Let’s just say that we’ve already hit about 25% of last year’s total in the first 3 months of 2024 with 96,594 violations recorded so far. Let’s put things into perspective, shall we?
Photo: Metro Manila Development Authority
With NCAP still being enforced by the MMDA, 107,000 violators were nabbed from January to August 24, 2022. In theory, with the Policy in place, even if we were to double that to 214,000 just to cover all of 2022, that number would still be far less than the close-to-400k total apprehensions last year. What does that mean? It looks like the No-Contact Apprehension Policy was working.
The main reason why a Temporary Restraining Order was issued is due to reports of abuse and unfair apprehensions; most of which did have some merit, while some truly were legitimate violations caught on film or video. But the fact remains that numbers don’t lie, and during its effectivity, the NCAP seemed to deter a lot more motorists from breaking laws.
And so, it’s with this that we ask you, our readers, for your thoughts. Do you think that the MMDA’s No-Contact Apprehension Policy should be implemented again? Are these numbers proof enough of its benefits or are the allegations of corruption and unfair practices enough reasons to keep it shelved until the next eon? Do let us know in the comments below.
