House panels approve bills optimizing NCR roads’ no-contact apprehension policy

MANILA, Philippines — Two bills that seek to strengthen and organize the no-contact apprehension system for Metro Manila roads have been approved by two House of Representatives committees.

During a joint hearing by the House committee on Metro Manila development and the committee on transportation — chaired by Manila 1st District Rep. Manny Lopez and Samar 1st District Rep. Edgar Mary Sarmiento — House Bill No. 5656 authored by Bulacan 1st District Rep. Jose Antonio Alvarado, was approved.

If enacted, the bill would require the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to inform violators caught through the no-contact apprehension through text or e-mail.

Another bill concerning the no-contact apprehension, House Bill No. 9368, which regulates the no-contact apprehension policy, was also approved.

Lopez said during the hearing that the proposals go hand-in-hand, as both measures would improve the metropolis’ implementation of traffic rules.

“We are all aware of the many problems faced by the motorists and vehicle owners, especially with the different apprehension and ticketing methods or systems in place in our country,” Lopez said.

“Iba-iba ang sistema ng pamamalakad sa trapiko. Dagdag pa dito, iba-iba din ang istilo at sistema ng mga iba’t ibang traffic enforcers,” he added.

(The traffic management system is different. Also, the styles and systems used by various traffic enforcers differ.)

According to Lopez, there are enough ways to implement the law: for HB 5656, MMDA is tasked to work with the Land Transportation Office (LTO) in implementing a system where motorists with violations are notified through text messages, e-mails, or other messenger apps.

Then under HB 9368, all national and local agencies using closed-circuit television cameras or other similar technology in enforcing traffic laws are required to adhere to the No Contact Apprehension Policy.

Also, the proposal would designate a single traffic authority in the case of areas falling under the jurisdiction of different traffic authorities, like EDSA, which traverses other cities.

The no-contact apprehension system is only implemented in Metro Manila and other big cities in the country.  But Lopez believes that both measures can start a unified and efficient traffic management system in Metro Manila and then across the country.