Earlier this month, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) called for the suspension of the controversial No-Contact Apprehension Program (NCAP) amid overwhelming concerns from the motoring public. NCAP is currently being implemented in Manila, Paranaque, Valenzuela, San Juan, Quezon City, and soon in Muntinlupa.
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has also an NCAP system in key areas of its jurisdiction.
“I sent a letter last Friday [August 5, 2022] and I’m giving them three days to respond. If they don’t [comply], I’ll call them directly,” said LTO chief Atty. Teofilo Guadiz during an earlier interview.
The LTO chief added that, if the agency’s request was denied or rejected, he will meet with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary, Benhur Abalos, to recommend a review and suspension of NCAP.
“We can appeal our request to LGUs with the DILG secretary if in case the LGUs reject it. Maybe, the DILG can refine and suspend the policy in the meantime,” added Guadiz.
Well, it seems that the mayors and the MMDA stand firm with regard to their respective NCAP policies and has so far defied the appeal of LTO.
For LTO, a Technical Working Group (TWG) is in order.
In a recent announcement by LTO, ASec. Guadiz has directed the agency to form a TWG that will sit down and discuss possible proposals for consideration ahead of its talks with local government units (LGUs) and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).
The meeting with the LGUs and MMDA is expected to push through in the coming days in relation to the crafting of the NCAP guidelines that is fair and acceptable to all stakeholders.
“We believe that the talks between the LTO, the LGUs and the MMDA is the best way forward to once and for all come up with fair guidelines on the NCAP’s implementation. We hope the LGUs and its mayors will be more open to receive inputs as to how best the NCAP will be implemented,” Guadiz said.
ASec. Guadiz also stressed that although the Agency’s mandate in NCAP implementation is related to alarm tagging only and the policy being proprietary to LGU as an autonomous body, the LTO remain willing to engage and discuss matters with the LGUs and the MMDA to anticipate and iron out possible kinks or loopholes in the policy.
“We deem the NCAP as a noble, timely and necessary action that will help realize the objective of digitalizing government services through technology. But just like any other policy, implementation will always be a key issue, and putting the policy into practice should be based on the tenets of the law. We hope the LGUs will sit down with the LTO, whose mandate also includes traffic management, so we can provide fresh perspective on the matter,” Asec. Guadiz added.
“The LTO is a firm believer in harnessing the power of digitalization and the use of technology for a better traffic flow in Metro Manila. We believe that only through an effective, efficient, responsive, and fair NCAP will the LGUs reap its benefits not only for their jurisdictions but for the motoring public in general.”
