Manila: Senate President Francis 'Chiz' Escudero and Senator Grace Poe have urged the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to address issues in the implementation of the No Contact Apprehension Policy (NCAP), emphasizing the need for fairness, efficiency, and transparency in traffic enforcement.

According to Philippines News Agency, Escudero highlighted concerns regarding delays in the delivery of Notices of Violation (NOVs) and advocated for digital alternatives to the current snail-mail process. He emphasized the need for a faster and more accessible appeal mechanism for motorists, noting that delays in receiving NOVs could lead to confusion about the alleged violations.

Escudero called on the MMDA to utilize emails where possible and to address flawed traffic signages and lane markings that often serve as the basis for violations. He stressed the importance of consistent enforcement and indisputable evidence to build public trust in programs like NCAP.

Senator Grace Poe acknowledged the MMDA's intention to enhance traffic enforcement through NCAP, drawing parallels with international models. She cited examples from advanced countries like London and Singapore, where technology aids in addressing enforcement challenges. Poe advocated for the system to meet global standards, recommending high-resolution cameras with automatic plate recognition, timestamped GPS-based evidence, and a 99.5 percent uptime similar to Singapore's Electronic Road Pricing system.

Poe also proposed the establishment of an independent review board within the MMDA, the use of electronic notices via SMS, and a user-friendly online dispute portal to facilitate fair and timely appeals. She underscored the importance of informing drivers about the appeal process and ensuring that traffic regulations are consistently applied, with changes communicated in advance.

Both Escudero and Poe encouraged the MMDA to adopt clearer guidelines, modern infrastructure, and responsive grievance mechanisms to ensure that NCAP is both effective and acceptable to the public. They view the limited implementation in Metro Manila as a pilot study for a potential nationwide rollout, aiming to promote safe and responsible driving behaviors.