The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) filed an urgent motion Friday before the Supreme Court seeking to lift the temporary restraining order against its no-contact apprehension policy (NCAP).

NCAP utilizes closed-circuit television, digital cameras and other technology to record traffic violations and issue citations.

MMDA chairperson Atty. Romando Artes said the motion was filed through the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG).

Artes argued that the policy is necessary to alleviate heavier traffic congestion on EDSA, a major thoroughfare currently undergoing rehabilitation, by reducing the need for traffic enforcers to physically stop violators.

He added that if the Supreme Court grants the MMDA’s appeal, the agency will explore the possibility of implementing NCAP for buses.

To recall, the Supreme Court issued the temporary restraining order in August 2022, halting the implementation of NCAP by several local government units in Metro Manila.

The order came after various transport groups filed a petition challenging local ordinances related to NCAP in Manila, Quezon City, Valenzuela, Muntinlupa and Parañaque.

Prior to the TRO, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) had also called on local government units to suspend and review their NCAP programs.

One of the contested aspects of the policy, according to the LTO, involved the payment of fines, where registered vehicle owners, rather than the drivers responsible for the violations, were required to pay the penalties.

Transport groups opposed the policy, arguing that it was unconstitutional.