THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority said it will need around 7,000 traffic enforcers while the No-Contact Traffic Apprehension scheme, whose implementation was temporarily stopped last year, is still being deliberated upon by the Supreme Court.
MMDA Chairperson Romando Artes said without the NCAP, the agency needs that number to cover 17 local government units in Metro Manila.
“If the NCAP is in effect, 2,500 traffic enforcers are sufficient for us,” Artes said, adding: “If the NCAP was not suspended, our traffic enforcers’ job would only be limited to traffic management, and not to issuing traffic citation tickets.”
The MMDA currently has 2,500 assigned to major roadways and thoroughfares in three shifts daily.
In August last year, the SC halted the implementation of NCAP following issues on allegedly hefty fines, personal information security, and the lack of due process.
In the aftermath of the SC injunction, the MMDA said it would increase the presence of traffic enforcers along major roadways to maintain order and obedience to traffic rules.
Last month, Artes reminded motorists to strictly follow traffic rules and regulations to prevent road accidents even if the NCAP is still suspended.
Artes said the agency has tallied 256,977 traffic violations in Metro Manila from the time the NCAP was suspended in August last year up to the first week of June this year.
He said although the NCAP’s implementation has been suspended, the agency is still monitoring close-circuit television cameras installed all over the metropolis under the halted program.
