With the objective to improve traffic management and protect public interest, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority adopted the No Contact Apprehension Policy. Motorists and the riding public should know how the policy works, as this will come in handy should they be fined for violations covered by the policy.
What is the No Contact Apprehension Policy (NCAP)?
Also known as the No Contact Traffic Apprehension Policy, it is a policy enforced by the MMDA and local government units to catch vehicle owners who violate traffic rules and city ordinances via closed-circuit television (CCTV) and similar surveillance systems.
NCAP is designed to be a force multiplier to raise public awareness on the rules of the road while also helping traffic enforcers ensure compliance of these rules.
Despite recent calls for its review and suspension (for seeming lack of a uniform set of guidelines among the MMDA and the LGUs, as well as for excessive fines), this policy remains in effect to this day. In fact, it was only last week when the five Metro Manila mayors issued a statement of continuing the operation of the policy.
Where is NCAP implemented?
The No Contract Apprehension Policy is used in areas within Metro Manila where the MDDA has CCTV and other surveillance systems installed. In places where these systems are absent, MMDA traffic enforcers or constables are deployed instead to catch traffic offenses.
For the list of locations with NCAP and how to check if you have violations, check out our detailed guide here.
What do you do if you’ve been found in violation of a traffic rule?
If you’ve been caught via NCAP surveillance of violating road rules and regulations, the MMDA will coordinate with the Land Transportation Office – Information Query Facility to look up your vehicle and contact information.
The agency will then notify you via snail mail of your violation, after the receipt of which you will have seven days to pay the indicated fines and penalties at authorized payment centers. These payment centers include accredited Bayad Centers and SM Bills Payment. You may also pay directly at the main office of the MMDA.
Failure to pay can lead to your disqualification for vehicle registration renewal, with your vehicle license plate added to the agency’s alarm list.
Note that the recipient of the notice will be the registered owner of the vehicle at the time of the violation. If you receive a notice for a vehicle you no longer own but is still registered under your name, you’ll need to submit a notarized deed of sale and other pertinent information at the No Contact Office at the MMDA.
The traffic violations and penalties can be viewed online in PDF form, a recent revision of which was dated April 2019. Example of violations that can be caught via NCAP include illegal parking, loading/unloading in prohibited zones, driving with doors open, reckless driving, and overspeeding. Fines range from Php150 to as much as Php15,000, depending on the frequency and gravity of offense.
See also: How to pay MMDA traffic violation tickets online
If, however, you believe there’s been some mistake and haven’t violated any traffic rules despite the notice, you may file a protest at MMDA’s Traffic Adjudication Division. You have seven days from the day you received the notice to file a protest, and failure to do so within that timeframe means you waive your right to protest.
If the Traffic Adjudication Division still finds you responsible for the traffic violation, you may file a motion for reconsideration within 15 days. If the motion is denied, your last chance to appeal is through the MMDA’s Office of the Chairman, which will give the final and executory decision. You’re given a month since you received notice that your motion was denied to file an appeal.
Where can you learn more about the No Contact Traffic Apprehension Policy?
More information is available at the MMDA website. The different LGUs in Metro Manila may also have their own guidelines on NCAP on their respective websites. MMDA also has a dedicated office for NCAP that you may contact over the phone at 8882-4151 loc. 1084 or through email at noncontact@mmda.gov.ph.