LTO forms task force to work on flaws of NCAP

Another developing story has entered the no-contact apprehension policy (NCAP) hullabaloo.

After initially urging local government units (LGUs) to suspend their NCAP operations earlier in the month, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) has now formed a technical working group (TWG) to tackle issues and discuss possible solutions to craft fair and acceptable guidelines regarding the policy.

LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Teofilo Guadiz III issued the directive ahead of the meeting between LGUs and the MMDA. Guadiz said he believes talks between the three concerned bodies are the best way forward in tackling how to effectively implement NCAP.

“We deem the NCAP as a noble, timely and necessary action that will help realize the objective of digitalizing government services through technology. But just like any other policy, implementation will always be a key issue, and putting the policy into practice should be based on the tenets of the law. We hope the LGUs will sit down with the LTO, whose mandate also includes traffic management, so we can provide fresh perspective on the matter. We believe that only through an effective, efficient, responsive, and fair NCAP will the LGUs reap its benefits not only for their jurisdictions but for the motoring public in general” said Asec. Guadiz.

The move comes after several mayors of Metro Manila and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) stood their ground and released a joint statement affirming their support for the no-contact apprehension policy to continue. In case you want to know more about NCAP, you can check out our Editor's Note here.