The technical working group was formed to help iron out the no contact apprehension policy guidelines. INQUIRER.net file photo / JONATHAN VICENTE
MANILA, Philippines — The Land Transportation Office (LTO) on Wednesday announced that it has formed a technical working group (TWG) to help iron out the guidelines in the implementation of the no contact apprehension policy (NCAP) and address possible “loopholes.”
The TWG was formed before the meeting among the LTO, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), and LGUs, which is scheduled to be conducted “in the coming days in relation to the crafting of the NCAP guidelines that are fair and acceptable to all stakeholders.”
According to LTO chief Teofilo Guadiz III the TWG is expected to discuss possible proposals for consideration ahead of the meeting.
“We believe that the talks among the LTO, the LGUs, and the MMDA are 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 receiving inputs as to how best the NCAP will be implemented,” said Guadiz in a statement.
He explained that although the NCAP implementation is related to alarm tagging only and the policy is proprietary to LGU as an autonomous body, the LTO remains 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 digitizing 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 a fresh perspective on the matter,” said Guadiz.
“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,” he added.
The LTO had previously urged LGUs to suspend the implementation of NCAP, after some motorists with no violations complained of being fined, while some complained of being fined twice for the same offense.
Earlier, Quezon City Fourth District Rep. Marvin Rillo filed a resolution directing three committees of the Congress’ lower chamber to probe NCAP.