Cavite Rep. Jolo Revilla on Saturday called on the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to fix malfunctioning traffic lights, restore faded road markings, and install visible signage before strictly implementing the No Contact Apprehension Policy (NCAP) across Metro Manila.
The lawmaker’s statement followed public outrage over a viral video showing a traffic light in Manila—reportedly along Abad Santos Avenue—abruptly shifting from green to red before the countdown timer had ended. The incident raised questions about the fairness of penalizing motorists for violations caused by faulty infrastructure.
“These are NCAP traps,” Revilla said, referring to unclear road markings, defective signals, and poorly placed or missing signs. “We should not punish drivers for the government’s shortcomings. Before imposing fines under NCAP, the MMDA must first ensure that all traffic lights, signages, and especially road markings are clear, working, and visible at all times.”
Revilla added that discipline on the road must go hand-in-hand with reliable infrastructure. “Let’s be fair. Drivers want to follow the law, but if they can’t see lane dividers or are misled by faulty traffic lights, that’s not a violation — that’s entrapment.”
He urged the MMDA to audit all NCAP-monitored areas and prioritize immediate repairs and repainting. He also proposed a public reporting system to allow motorists to flag defective infrastructure without fear of retaliation.
“If NCAP is meant to make roads safer, let’s start by making them clearer,” Revilla emphasized.
Meanwhile, MMDA chair Don Artes met with representatives of Globe Telecom on Friday to discuss technological enhancements in support of NCAP enforcement, which resumed on May 26.
Among the proposed measures are the creation of an MMDA user account, the development of both automated and manual online systems, and a database linked to the Land Transportation Office (LTO) for better coordination and monitoring.
In addition, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) announced Thursday that motorists will soon be able to check their traffic violations—including NCAP-related offenses—and pay fines through the eGovPH app.
DICT Undersecretary David Almirol Jr. said they are integrating the MMDA’s NCAP monitoring system, the agency’s single ticketing platform, and the LTO’s Land Transportation Management System into the eGovPH app. The systems will be interconnected via the e-government data exchange platform (eGovDX), allowing for streamlined access to violation records and evidence such as images and video.
Artes highlighted that the NCAP, powered by artificial intelligence and closed-circuit television cameras, enhances traffic enforcement by automatically detecting violations such as illegal turns, disregarding signs, illegal parking, and number coding breaches. He noted that all flagged violations are still subject to human verification.
The MMDA and partner LGUs aim to use NCAP to promote road safety and discipline through consistent and technology-aided enforcement.
