MMDA asks LTO to temporarily lift NCAP alarm tags

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) over the weekend requested the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to temporarily lift the alarm tags under the former’s no-contact apprehension policy (NCAP).

The plea was made days after the LTO sent a letter to various local government units to temporarily remove the alarm tags in the system.

In his letter to Stradcom Corporation (LTO's service provider), MMDA Acting Chairman Carlo Dimayuga III cited that a significant number of vehicle owners and buyers whose units are tagged and placed under an alarm with the LTO under the MMDA's NCAP cannot renew or transfer the registration of their motor vehicles since the Authority cannot accept their payment for fines imposed following the temporary suspension of the program ordered by the Supreme Court.

“Without violating the Supreme Court TRO and with the higher interest of public service, the MMDA hereby requests the Stradcom Corporation to temporarily lift the tagging and alarm of the affected motor vehicles under the MMDA's NCAP," Dimayuga stated in the letter.

"This will allow the owners and/or buyers to renew and/or transfer their registration with the LTO," he added.

However, Dimayuga clarified that the request was made without prejudice to the high court’s final decision and shall be reinstated if and when it affirms the legality of the MMDA NCAP.

The MMDA noted that the request for the temporary suspension also covers those with alarms and tags "who have yet to settle their fines even before the Supreme Court issued the TRO on the policy last August 30."

It can be recalled that the highest court in the country suspended the NCAP implementation “effective immediately until further orders.”

Further, the same order is also stopping the LTO and all parties acting on its behalf “from giving out motorist information to all local government units, cities, and municipalities enforcing NCAP programs and ordinances.”

The hearing for the petitions challenging the NCAP’s legality will be on January 24, 2023.

Following the issued order, the MMDA, as well as the local governments of Manila, Valenzuela, Quezon City announced that they will abide by the aforementioned directive.

Earlier, LTO Chief Teofilo Guadiz III ordered for the creation of a technical working group to discuss issues revolving around NCAP and asked the local government units to suspend the implementation of the contactless apprehension program.

Photos from Ruben D. Manahan IV, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority

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