Metro Manila mayors have approved the extension of the implementation of the No Physical Contact Policy (NPCP) of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) after it has been proven effective in disciplining erring motorists caught on digital and closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras.

MMDA Chairman Oscar Inocentes said the Metro Manila Commission (MMC), composed of the 17 mayors in the metropolis and serves as the policy-making body of the MMDA, expressed satisfaction at the system compared to manual ticketing, which is more susceptible to corruption.

“We believe that we can improve and utilize the non-contact physical contact apprehension scheme as one way of strengthening our apprehension efforts and imparting into the consciousness of the motorists the MMDA’s intent and capability to strictly enforce traffic rules,” said Emmanuel De Castro, MMDA assistant general manager for operations.

From February to November, the Traffic Operations Center (TOC) recorded a total of 54,875 citations under the NPCP, or an average of 200 traffic tickets issued per day.

Of this figure, 38,813 were public utility vehicles while 16,062 were private vehicles.

Regarding the fines, the MMDA treasury service showed that collection amounted to P4.2 million.

Under MMDA Resolution No. 09-02 approving the implementation of the NPCP, a violator caught on camera will be sent a notice by the MMDA giving him seven days from receipt to pay his corresponding fines or appeal his apprehension for review.

The notice contains the image or photo clip of the vehicle while in the act of violating certain traffic rules, as well as the date, time, location and the nature of the traffic infraction.

After the lapse of the seven-day period and the notice has not been settled, the MMDA will send a final notice to the erring violator informing him to immediately settle his citation ticket.

The MMDA will then forward the driver’s license number of the motorist to the LTO if payment has not been made after the receipt of the final notice.

The non-paying motorist will not be able to renew his/her driver’s license with the LTO in the future until he has paid his traffic dues.

Earlier, the agency agreed to give erring bus drivers longer days to settle or protest their apprehension following the request of bus operators.

Upon receipt of the summons, erring bus drivers have 30 days to pay their fines or lodge their complaints before the MMDA impounds their vehicle.

Meanwhile, several displaced sidewalk vendors had appealed to MMDA officials to permit them to peddle on the sidewalks but this was quickly rejected by the agency.

With high hopes that their appeal would be approved, members of Sanlakas, a group of sidewalk vendors along Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City, met with Inocentes and pleaded with him to allow them to stay on the sidewalks until the agency finds areas for them to do business legally.

However, Inocentes rejected their appeal, saying, “Kung papayagan naming kayo, walang mangyayari lahat na ng vendors gagaya na rin sa ginagawa nyo.”

He pointed that they have been given enough period to vacate the sidewalks as vending on the sidewalks is prohibited by the law.

“What you are doing is illegal. Sidewalks are for pedestrians,” he said.

He urged the association to help the agency in its search of a suitable space for a market which can accommodate displaced vendors like them.

“I have assigned General Manager Robert Nacianceno to continue looking for a viable lot, preferably along Commonwealth Avenue, where we can put up a market,” Inocentes said.