The much-dreaded acronym “NCAP” is now equipped with an online tool called “May Huli Ka”, a website operated by the MMDA in its bid to make traffic violations publicly accessible to motorists in real time.
As if adding insult to injury, “May Huli Ka” enables public viewing of traffic violations by simply typing in the vehicle’s plate number, exposing the motorist’s vital info.
Metro Manila Development Authority Chairman Romando Artes and Philippine National Police Chief Nicolas Torre III jointly presented the new website at a press briefing last Monday.
Before this late-breaking news, the NCAP had claimed early success, just a month after the High Court gave the green light and scrapped the temporary restraining order against this policy.
After igniting an online frenzy, it uncovered an enormous number of motorist violations, which have reached 8,586 as of June 7. Of that number, approximately half, or 4,100 motorists, have been notified of their violations, and the notices have been sent to their home addresses, making NCAP (No-Contact Apprehension Policy) the more effective enforcer than those physically manning the roads.
The MMDA chairman should now be rejoicing over the results and may be pondering the fate of MMDA enforcers — whether they should stay or go — although it would be premature to make a decision now, admittedly.
For the time being, the MMDA officialdom may be taking a schadenfreude-like delight as the agency’s cash registers continue to ring each time motorists pay their penalty fees. It should be music to the ears, too.
NCAP-imposed fines/penalties on traffic violations cannot be sneezed at: At least P1000 for Disregarding Traffic Signs, P1000 for Failure to Use Seatbelt, and P2000.00 with vehicle impounding for Unattended Illegal Parking. These amounts are based on first-time offenses. There are separate fines for making an illegal turn, obstruction, or beating the red light, and related offenses that you will encounter as you read through the MMDA list of violations. The penalties could increase for repeat violations and more serious infractions, such as driving under the influence.
Name of the game–avoidance
You can’t blame motorists for their persistent attempts to avoid NCAP, or COVID-19, like the plague. Some of them have been found using fake car plates. Other equally devious means include covering the number plates to keep these hidden from CCTVs, the NCAP’s “eye in the sky”
NCAP rhymes with ‘kapkap’. Both terms refer to the method of enforcing traffic laws. But it’s how these are implemented that spells the difference.
In fact, there’s a whale of a difference between the high-tech NCAP and the old school ‘kapkap’.
NCAP applies only to Metro Manila, utilizing CCTVs and digital cameras strategically placed along roads such as EDSA and C-5 to “arrest” traffic violators without requiring the enforcer to engage in physical contact with the offending motorist. The CCTVs record the violation and send it to the MMDA control center, which in turn issues a traffic citation ticket and mails it to the errant motorist’s home address.
This is unlike “Kapkap,” which has a nationwide scope and effect. “Kapkap,” in local parlance, is the act of “frisking” someone who may be a suspicious-looking character. The police, who usually work in tandem, may accost and frisk an individual. During the act of frisking, some things happen as if the cops have a magic wand. Unusual things appear or disappear, including wallets, and vanish into thin air. Supposedly, the police are there to arrest a suspect and not to collect any penalty fee for any illegal acts.
The new PNP chief, Nicolas Torre, has promised to institute deeper reforms in the uniformed service, such as requiring police officers to wear body cameras to record and document legitimate arrests. Body cameras turned off could only mean some hanky-panky happened during the police operation.
Strategic sites
Instead of body-worn cameras, NCAP utilizes CCTVs, operated remotely from the MMDA HQ, to track and monitor cars on the road within Metro Manila.
The MMDA has drawn up an initial list of these strategic NCAP designated sites: Circumferential Roads (C1: Recto; C2: Mendoza, Pres. Quirino Ave.; C3: Araneta Ave.; C4: EDSA; and C5: C.P. Garcia, Katipunan, Tandang Sora) and Radial Roads (R1: Roxas Blvd.; R2: Taft Ave.; R3: South Super Highway / Osmena Highway; R4: Shaw Blvd.; R5: Ortigas Ave.; R6: Magsaysay Blvd., Aurora Blvd.; R7: Commonwealth Ave.; R8: A. Bonifacio; R9: Rizal Ave.; and R10: Delpan, Marcos Highway, and McArthur Highway.
How to beat NCAP
There is no surefire formula or a one-size-fits-all (OFSA) algorithm that can resolve an NCAP situation, or any traffic situation. However, presence of mind counts most, all the time. Moreover, the law doesn’t say you can’t go about traffic rules and regulations. Just don’t get caught.
You, too, can try to beat NCAP, thereby ensuring your hard-earned money lands where it belongs — in your pocket. The following do’s and don’ts may help you reach your destination safely, soundly, and intact. All it takes is common sense.
Plan ahead. Map out your route, taking into consideration the traffic situation and the shortest possible way to your destination. Less car fuel is consumed if you travel the shortest, traffic-free distance. Avoid the rush and the chance of committing a violation. In the process, you also save precious time and money.
Do it the Subic way. Make a full stop at intersections when there are no traffic lights. It will take only five seconds for you to take a look around. Who knows, an enforcer or NCAP signage may just be lurking ahead. A momentary pause could avert a mishap or even save lives.
Avoid distractions. Never text and drive, nor drive and text. Self-imposed distractions, such as these, are prohibited under RA 10913, also known as the Anti-Distracted Driving Act (ADDA). NCAP utilizes high-definition cameras that can detect or see through heavily tinted vehicles. The ensuing penalties are too stiff; you might end up calling your lawyer for legal advice.
Don’t drink and drive. The NCAP CCTVs obviously aren’t equipped with a breath analyzer, but your actions will betray you and flash “drunk driving,” which is also against the law. Republic Act No. 10586, or the “Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act of 2013,” prohibits any person from driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, dangerous drugs, and similar substances.
Put up a challenge. Test the accuracy of violation/s against you to ensure the CCTV images are in context and reflect the true situation when you were driving.
Ask questions if you have reason to believe the charge/penalty is unwarranted. Don’t hesitate to question the surroundings of the CCTV. Are the NCAP signage and road marking displayed prominently? Identify things that obstruct driver visibility, and you might go scot-free.
Pass the buck. If you have disposed of the errant car, provide proof, preferably a notarized deed of sale, showing that ownership has been transferred. Definitely, the MMDA will accept valid arguments and will reconsider.
Dress appropriately. It pays to know the law so you can comply with it, as well as traffic rules. There’s a dress code for TNVS and public utility drivers. You don’t have to dress up like you’re going to a gala night. However, wearing sandals and slippers is a definite no-no. And remember this: Taking shortcuts may send you into far deeper trouble than you can imagine.
If all else fails despite your gallant efforts to beat NCAP, the only sensible thing to do is pay up via NCAP-accredited banks, which are available online. Or you can try the government’s eGovPH app. Pay online, and no one except you and your gadget will ever know about your best-kept, possibly embarrassing secret.
