MMDA relaxes NCAP enforcement amid floods, poor visibility

As rain and floods, paired with low visibility, make it difficult to navigate Metro Manila streets, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) says it is relaxing enforcement on indirect motorist violations.

Malfunctioning traffic lights, faded road markings, and thousands of vehicles have contributed to worsening traffic in recent days, as rains continue to pour even after Severe Tropical Storm Crising exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility.

The implementation of the No Contact Apprehension Policy (NCAP) during this period has added to the concerns of motorists trying to get home.

But according to MMDA Chairman Romando Artes, while the NCAP remains in effect, their personnel are manually validating violations before finalizing any apprehension.

“We are invalidating almost all possible violations, especially those in flooded portions where we cannot see the signage. There will definitely be no apprehension,” he said during a virtual briefing on Tuesday.

However, Artes clarified that violations which are clearly visible to MMDA — such as road mishaps — will still be recorded and validated.

“So, it's a case-to-case basis but generally when the weather is like this, we're almost suspended the implementation of NCAP,” Artes explained.

Meanwhile, Artes said the MMDA has also suspended the number coding scheme and continues to monitor the traffic situation in Metro Manila.