By Brian Campued
The No Contact Apprehension Policy (NCAP) being implemented by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) helps reduce corruption involving traffic enforcers and motorists as well as promote road discipline, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. underscored.
In the third part of the “BBM Podcast Episode 2” posted on his official Facebook page on Friday, the President said he agrees “in principle” with the implementation of NCAP, which was resumed on May 26 across Metro Manila’s major thoroughfares.
“In principle, agree ako diyan sa No Contact (Apprehension Policy). Agreed ako diyan. Maganda ang layunin niyan. Ang layunin niyan is… masundan ang rules of the road na hindi tayo kung ano-ano ‘yong ginagawa natin,” Marcos said.
He also disagreed on the claims that the NCAP might be used for corruption, stressing that “it will be the opposite” as the policy would discourage motorists from bribing law enforcers.
“Magsabi na tayo ng totoo. ‘Pag hinuli ka ng pulis… may nakasiksik na doon sa lisensya mo mga P200, P500—baka malaki na. ‘Mag-ingat ka, huwag mo nang uulitin’—pero nasuhulan mo na,” Marcos said.
“Ito (NCAP), it will be based solely kung ano ‘yong nasa picture. Magbabayad siya ng multa. Hindi binibigay sa kahit na anong tao. It’s straight to the system.”
On EDSA Rebuild
The Chief Executive also reiterated his directive to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and Department of Transportation (DOTr) to utilize advanced technology to fast-track the rehabilitation of the Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA), which was suspended on June 1.
Marcos added that he does not approve of the initial two-year EDSA Rebuild plan as this will only prolong the suffering of motorists and commuters.
“Hindi ko matanggal-tanggal sa pag-iisip ko iyong nasa kotse ka, nasa EDSA, makikita mo alas-dose na ng gabi, ang haba pa ng pila naghihintay ng bus. Tapos pag-uwi nun, gigising ng alas-kuwatro ‘yon. Maghihintay na naman ng bus para makapasok ng alas-siyete, alas-otso. Sinasabi ko hindi puwedeng ganyan. Napakahirap na, tapos daragdagan pa natin ng kahirapan,” the President lamented.
“Siguro naman may mga bagong sistema diyan na hindi nating kailangan isara o kung ‘yong gagawin ay hindi dalawang taon. So sabi ko, itigil muna natin. Pag-isipan natin mabuti. Hanap tayo ng bagong technology. There are new technologies,” he added.
-jpv
