LTO to temporarily remove NCAP alarm tags on vehicles

A week after the highest court in the country issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the no-contact apprehension policy (NCAP), the Land Transportation Office (LTO) announced that it will be temporarily removing the alarm-tagging on vehicles with existing traffic violations that are related to the program.

According to the agency, thousands of motorists whose vehicles are tagged with NCAP violations can now have their vehicles registered without the need to pay for fines.

As of September 7, Quezon City (1,190 alarms), Paranaque City (93,083 alarms) and Bataan (7,616) are in the process of removing the alarm tags.

The initiative was made following the request letter sent by Land Transportation Office (LTO) Chief Assistant Secretary Teofilo Guadiz III to local government units (LGU) that have enforced NCAP to temporarily remove the alarm tags in the system.

“This will allow the renewal of registration of apprehended motor vehicles through the NCAP pending the final Decision/Resolution of the Supreme Court on the matter,” Guadiz said.

“In the event the Supreme Court will affirm the validity of the same, the alarms shall be re-tagged in our system, and the fines/penalties shall be reflected and/or applied during the next renewal for registration,” he added.

Earlier, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, the respective local governments of Valenzuela City and the City of Manila also announced that they will also deploy more traffic personnel  to carry on with their duties of implementing rules and regulations on the road. The initiative was their reaction to the order issued by the high court.

Although complying with the SC order, Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan said that NCAP has been very effective in keeping the number of traffic violations low while instilling discipline to motorists and preventing vehicle gridlocks. She also assured that the Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau will continue to strictly enforce traffic regulations to maintain order, discipline, and safety along the roads.

Photos from Ruben D. Manahan IV, Land Transportation Office-Philippines Facebook page

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