Chairman Don Artes says that MMDA’s NCAP is somewhat lenient
Last week, the motorcycle community, participated in a dialogue with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and its Chairman, Atty. Don Artes. The meeting, initiated by Angkas, brought together a diverse group of riders, including big bike enthusiasts, MC Taxi and courier personnel, as well as daily motorcycle commuters.
The dialog discussed key issues relating to the agency’s No Contact Apprehension Policy (NCAP), MC Lane, traffic law enforcement and its corresponding fines.
When the topic shifted to NCAP, naturally, most of the motorcycle riders present were very much against the said policy, claiming that with even the slightest mistake could lead to multiple fines and hefty penalties which definitely would affect their livelihood.
Responding to these, MMDA Chairman Atty. Don Artes assured that this version of NCAP can be considered ‘lenient’ in many cases, as traffic violations go through stringent verification in the agency’s Command Center.
Citing an example, Artes said that riders who were “boxed out” from the MC Lane but immediately returned when safe will not be penalized through NCAP. But of course, riding all the way outside the MC Lane along Commonwealth Avenue is a different story.
“Yung mga paminsan-minsan lumalabas sa MC Lane dahil siksikan, ‘wag lang naman na lumabas kayo tapos binaybay nyo diretso yung Commonwealth [Avenue] sa labas ng MC Lane, ay ibang usapan na po yun,” said Artes.
(Those who occasionally go out of the MC Lane because it’s crowded, just don’t go out and then drive straight along Commonwealth [Avenue] outside the MC Lane, that’s already a different story.)
Artes also assured riders that the MMDA will not penalize motorists via NCAP if it is because of improper or incomplete road markings, DPWH construction, other road obstructions, or if safety is at stake.
The need for technology-based traffic management solutions was also stressed by Chairman Artes, who pointed out that motorists tend to disregard traffic regulations when they believe they are not being monitored.
“Ito pong NCAP ay isa sa mga paraan [traffic enforcement]. Hindi po naming kaya bantayan ang lahat ng kalsada. Naipakita naman po naming sa inyo na noong na-suspend ang NCAP dahil sa TRO [kung] gaano kalaki yung in-increase ng mga traffic violaitons dahil tuloy tuloy po naming minonitor. Kaya nga po alam namin na meron isang sasakyan na may [higit] 300 violations,” added Artes.
(This NCAP is one of the ways [of traffic enforcement]. We cannot possibly guard all roads. We’ve shown you that when the NCAP was suspended due to the TRO how much traffic violations have increased, because we continuously monitored it. That’s why we know there’s one vehicle with [more than] 300 violations.)
MMDA’s NCAP also has its dedicated Adjudication Department for those wishing to contest a Notice of Violation. You can also check if you have an outstanding NCAP violation by visiting the MMDA’s May Huli Ka portal.
