Manila: The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) announced that the lifting of the temporary restraining order (TRO) against the No Contact Apprehension Policy (NCAP) would allow the agency to effectively address traffic congestion on Metro Manila's major thoroughfares.

According to Philippines News Agency, the MMDA emphasized that the NCAP would be particularly beneficial following the planned rehabilitation of Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue (EDSA). The agency noted that the rehabilitation, set to begin on June 13, is expected to exacerbate traffic conditions. The reinstatement of the NCAP aims to promote road discipline among motorists during this period of increased congestion.

The NCAP, once reinstated, is anticipated to enhance the MMDA's traffic management capabilities along EDSA and other key routes. The policy will utilize closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras, digital cameras, and other technologies to capture images and videos of traffic violators, document infractions, and issue citations.

The MMDA assured those who had previously raised concerns about the NCAP that their issues have been addressed in the new guidelines and through the single ticketing system. The Supreme Court lifted the TRO after the Office of the Solicitor General filed a motion for reconsideration on behalf of the MMDA.

The MMDA highlighted the urgency of reinstating the NCAP, citing recent data that underscores the need for strengthened traffic enforcement. Since the TRO was issued on August 30, 2022, approximately 833,097 traffic violations have been recorded by the agency's CCTV cameras as of April 2025. In March 2025 alone, 12,566 violations were documented, surpassing the average of 9,500 monthly violations before the NCAP's suspension.

With the impending EDSA rehabilitation expected to begin operations by mid-May 2025, the MMDA anticipates a significant increase in traffic as vehicles are diverted to side streets and alternative routes. The agency acknowledged that the limited number of MMDA traffic enforcers and deputized local officers would be insufficient to manage the expected surge in traffic volume, highlighting the critical role of the NCAP in addressing these challenges.