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Jean Mangaluz - Philstar.com
May 7, 2025 | 11:12pm
Motorists and commuters experience heavy traffic along the southbound lane of Kamuning and the westbound lane of Philcoa in EDSA, Quezon City as work resumes on April 1, 2024.
The STAR / Michael Varcas
MANILA, Philippines — Following a string of deadly car crashes, discussions on reviving the No Contact Apprehension Policy (NCAP) have resurfaced, with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) pushing for its wider implementation.
In 2022, the Supreme Court (SC) issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) on the NCAP’s implementation due to concerns over possible constitutional violations.
DOTr Secretary Vince Dizon has confirmed that the government is considering bringing back the NCAP, although the SC’s TRO remains in effect.
“Ang alam ko, ang MMDA, mukhang ibabalik na niya,” Dizon said in a press briefing on Monday.
The DOTr said the measure is necessary, saying that the technology is already available through advancements in CCTVs and artificial intelligence.
“Mas madali na tayong makakahuli. Icoconnect ang no contact comprehension sa LTO (Land Transportation Office) at konektado na yan sa mga lisensya, sa mga rehistro ng vehicles, kaya na natin gawin yan. Unfortunately may pending SC case kaya hindi natin magawa nationwide,” Dizon said.
(It will be easier to catch people. No contact could be connected to the LTO and connected to the licenses, the registration of the vehicles, we can do that. Unfortunately, there is an SC case where we cannot do it nationwide.)
However, prominent transport figures have voiced opposition to the NCAP.
Senatorial candidate and Manibela chair Mar Valbuena argued the policy is not necessarily the solution to erring drivers, saying automated systems may miss context and lead to collective punishment.
“The solution is proper and efficient enforcement on the ground since we are lacking appropriate infrastructure like traffic signaling and street and road signages that can guide compliant drivers. A properly trained and disciplined enforcer is better than a video camera that is limited with the context of its angle of view,” Valbuena said in a statement.
The NCAP utilizes advanced camera systems with artificial intelligence to detect erring drivers.
In May, two high-profile car crashes killed at least 12 people — one involving a passenger bus that rammed into vehicles at an SCTEX toll plaza, and another where a sports utility vehicle slammed into the entrance of NAIA Terminal 1.
