Rommel (not his real name), a car owner from Caloocan, had no idea he had committed any traffic violations—until he went to the LTO to renew his vehicle registration. That’s when he was told he owed nearly ₱6,000 in fines under the No Contact Apprehension Policy (NCAP). “Wala man lang text, wala man lang warning,” he said. It’s a steep price to pay—especially when the penalties come without notice, and all at once.
Rommel’s story is not unique. Since the return of the No Contact Apprehension Policy in May 2025, many Filipino motorists have voiced renewed apprehension—uncertain about how NCAP will work this time around, and who it truly serves. While it promises greater road discipline and enforcement efficiency, for those behind the wheel every day, it often feels like the rules arrive too late and the penalties hit too hard.
Why the No Contact Apprehension Policy Was Suspended Before
The No Contact Apprehension Policy was suspended in 2022 after the Supreme Court issued a temporary restraining order, following multiple petitions from drivers and transport groups. The complaints centered on due process violations, inconsistent local implementation, and the reality that vehicle owners were being fined even if they weren’t the ones behind the wheel.
Fines often arrived weeks after the violation, with no prior notice or explanation. The appeal process was slow, confusing, or inaccessible. Some penalties were issued to people who had already sold their cars. With growing public anger and legal uncertainty, the Supreme Court ordered a nationwide pause and called for a full review.
What’s Different in 2025?
The MMDA insists that this new phase of the No Contact Apprehension Policy is significantly improved. As of May 26, 2025, NCAP is now implemented solely by the MMDA. Local government units are no longer allowed to run their own programs, which previously led to a confusing patchwork of city-specific rules.
According to MMDA Traffic Discipline Office Director Victor Nuñez, NCAP will only be enforced on roads with complete and proper traffic signs and markings. “We will not implement NCAP in areas where there are problems on pavement markings and traffic signages, just to be fair to our motorists,” he said.
Drivers can now file appeals online, and the MMDA says it is working with the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to make sure vehicle ownership records are accurate and current. The agency has also expanded its CCTV camera network and upgraded its detection software.
On the first day of NCAP’s reimplementation alone, 582 violations were recorded between 6 a.m. and 4 p.m., mostly involving unauthorized use of the EDSA busway and ignored traffic signs. According to MMDA records, nearly 833,097 traffic violations were captured by CCTV between the policy’s suspension in August 2022 and April 2025.
For official information on the No Contact Apprehension Policy, including violation guidelines, frequently asked questions, and the online appeals process, please refer to the MMDA’s official NCAP page.
CHECK WHAT SIMPOL PIPS THINK ABOUT NCAP:
Drivers Say More Needs to Be Done
Despite the changes, many drivers say the system still leaves them in the dark.
“I only found out I had three fines when I went to renew my registration,” said Alma, a Lalamove driver. “No email. No text. Tapos bawas agad sa budget.”
Without real-time alerts, drivers can unknowingly repeat a mistake multiple times before even receiving the first notice. For those who drive to earn a living, every fine cuts into critical income—sometimes the difference between buying groceries or skipping a meal.
There’s also lingering confusion about how to appeal, how long it takes, and whether anyone actually reviews complaints. As Jun, a jeepney driver from Pasay, put it: “Minsan kailangan mo lang mag-shortcut para ‘di ka mahuli sa biyahe. Pero ngayon, kahit diskarte, may multa.”
Understanding the Filipino Driver
Driving in Metro Manila has never been straightforward. With traffic, missing signage, potholes, and unpredictable intersections, Filipino drivers rely not just on road rules, but on instinct and diskarte. It’s a coping mechanism shaped by a system that has long been inconsistent and informal.
NCAP tries to change that—but not all at once, and not always with clarity. By removing the human enforcer, it also removes the chance to explain, negotiate, or correct. Cameras see the act, not the reason. And for many, that lack of context turns discipline into pressure.
Could AI Turn NCAP into a Revenue Machine?
Some drivers now worry that NCAP could evolve into something more than enforcement—a kind of automated revenue generator. With today’s technology, it’s technically possible for the MMDA to use AI to track where violations happen most, adjust enforcement patterns, and even tighten margins on what counts as an offense.
This raises questions. Could AI eventually be used to set internal “targets” for daily or monthly violations? Could the system be optimized—not for safety, but for fines?
While the MMDA has not confirmed any AI-linked enforcement strategies, the risk is real. The system could easily narrow its tolerance—flagging minor veers into a bus lane or infractions that don’t truly endanger anyone. And without transparency, drivers wouldn’t know whether the rules are meant to keep them safe—or keep the revenue flowing.
Technology alone isn’t the issue. It’s the lack of visibility behind the lens. If motorists can’t see how the system works, how fines are calculated, or how they’re reviewed, then NCAP feels less like public service and more like a trap.
What Drivers Want from NCAP
Most drivers aren’t asking to break the rules. They’re asking for fairness, clarity, and respect.
They want real-time alerts—via SMS or email—so they can correct mistakes quickly. They want an appeals system that works, with clear steps and timelines. They want signage that’s complete and visible. And they want to know that the system is built for safety, not for revenue.
These are not unreasonable requests. They’re the foundation of trust. And without trust, no policy—no matter how advanced—will succeed.
The Road Ahead
The MMDA believes NCAP will help bring order to Metro Manila’s roads. Many drivers want that too. But to work, the system must do more than issue tickets. It must engage, explain, and evolve.
Discipline works best when it comes with transparency. Technology can detect mistakes—but only empathy and accountability can build a system that people believe in.
NCAP may see everything. But unless it listens too, it won’t move anyone forward.
