The return of MMDA's "No Physical Contact" apprehension rule

To improve their service and eliminate corruption, the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will bring back the “No Physical Contact” apprehension policy. This rule will take effect starting March and will cover all major roads in the metro, especially along EDSA and C-5.

This resolution was recently inked during a meeting between the Metro Manila Council (MMC) and MMDA Chairperson Emerson Carlos. The governing bodies agreed that this policy has shown its qualities as a much better way of flagging down erring motorists.

Why? Because the policy will make use of CCTV cameras in aiding traffic enforcers, especially in areas they can’t patrol. Traffic violators will then receive a notice that contains the date, time, location, and photo/video evidence of the offense. But not to worry as the MMDA will review each footage sent before sending out a notice and violators will be given 7-days to dispute the call.

This won’t be the first time that the policy will see action. It used to be active during former MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando’s term. But it was later put on hold because violators must first pay the fine before airing out their side.

Then in 2011, it reemerged for 6 months with new guidelines. According to Carlos, “There had been piles of summons regarding the violations caught with the No Contact Policy, which proved its effectiveness. The rule also had no complaints from motorists and was never questioned on court before. With the new revisions, motorists were given the freedom to question their violation.”

In line with the re-implementation, MMDA will install an additional 160 CCTV cameras in the strategic locations around Metro Manila. They’ll also let their enforcers use other means of documenting traffic violations such as cell phone cameras or digital cameras.