The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Wednesday, May 28, announced they will launch a new application to help motorists monitor their traffic violations under the No-Contact Apprehension Policy (NCAP).
In an interview with Dos Por Dos, MMDA Chairman Atty. Romando “Don” Artes revealed that the upcoming app will enable vehicle owners to check for any NCAP violations, view penalties, and see authorized payment centers.
“Mayroon din po kami simultaneously ila-launch po kami na app para malaman niyo kung may huli kayo, magreregister po kayo doon,” Artes explained.
“Ang kagandahan nga po sa app na ito, doon po makikita niyo na yung huli, kung magkano ang penalty at yung autorize lang po na payment centers,” he added.
Artes emphasized that the new system addresses prior concerns over data privacy. In the old system, anyone could input a random plate number and see violations associated with it, which could potentially breach the Data Privacy Act.
“Doon po sa dati naming app kahit sino pwede mag type ng random plate number at makikkita ang huli. So ang gagawin namin may pre-registration, yun lamang pong pre-registered owner ang pwedeng mag inquire,” he said.
Artes clarified that NCAP violations are included in a motorist’s official driving record. These infractions can affect license renewal, specifically the duration of validity as motorists may no longer qualify 10-year validity and only 5 years could be available upon renewal.
Meanwhile, to prevent unjust citations, MMDA employs a two-step manual review process after AI-powered cameras detect a violation.
“Dalawang reviews po ang pinagdadaanan niyan, una pong review yun ating pong mga deaf mute dati nagmomonitor lang sa screen, naghihintay kung may magv-violate. Ibabato po sa kanila yung hinuli po ng AI camera at irereview po niya yun. Then kapag sinabi na confirm po niya i-aapporve pa po ng isang supervisor,” Artes pointed out.
He added that unclear signage or insufficient road markers would lead to automatic dismissal of the violation.
In response to the effectiveness of NCAP’s implementation, Artes shared that MMDA data showed 1,100 violations recorded on its first day back, on May 26.
By the following day, the number of violations dropped to 600, indicating improved compliance among motorists.
“Kaya nga po ang sinasabi ko kapag wala pong nagbabantay at walang nakikitang enforces lumalakas ang loob ng ating mga kababayan na mag violate ng traffic,” Artes said, reiterating the positive effect of NCAP.
Moreover, to further enhance NCAP, MMDA is working with a telecommunications company to integrate the app with an SMS or text alert system.
“Kapag na-i-up po ang system na ito, 30 minutes to 1 hour makakareceive po yung registered owner ng text message saying yung violation,” said MMDA Chairman.
The implementation of NCAP resumed on Monday, May 26, following the Supreme Court’s (SC) lifting of the temporary restraining order (TRO) on May 20.
