Albay Rep. Joey Salceda —Inquirer picture
MANILA, Philippines — Whereas he sees no downside within the Supreme Court docket (SC) choice to carry the momentary restraining order (TRO) in opposition to the no-contact apprehension coverage (NCAP) of the Metropolitan Manila Growth Authority (MMDA), Albay Rep. Joey Salceda believes sure reforms and measures should be positioned first.
Salceda in a press release on Tuesday talked about 4 issues that must be performed earlier than implementing the NCAP—a system that makes use of closed circuit tv (CCTV) cameras and different digital means in imposing visitors legal guidelines—together with a transparent appeals mechanism and the position of uniform visitors guidelines and signages.
“I respect the Supreme Court docket’s choice lifting the TRO on the No-Contact Apprehension Coverage,” he stated.
READ: No-contact apprehension takes impact alongside main roads after SC lifts TRO
“However earlier than it’s carried out, 4 vital safeguards should be in place: (1) A transparent and accessible appeals mechanism—identical to in the US, the place NCAP-type violations could be contested earlier than a visitors choose; (2) Correct street signages and uniform visitors guidelines throughout Metro Manila—many roads nonetheless endure from inconsistent or hidden indicators,” Salceda added.
The 2 different measures in response to Salceda embody, (3) Assurances that NCAP is not going to penalize pedestrians unfairly, particularly in areas with out protected and guarded crossings; and (4) Tips from the Division of the Inside and Native Authorities (DILG) and the Public-Non-public Partnership (PPP) Middle to make sure that NCAP implementations—particularly these outsourced to personal firms by way of PPPs—don’t violate commuter rights or due course of.
“I assist high-tech visitors enforcement. However we must not ever enable a system the place drivers and commuters are penalized with out recourse, transparency, or equity,” he stated.
“Expertise should uphold the Structure—not bypass it. NCAP should be a device for justice, not simply income,” he added.
SC on Tuesday introduced that it has partially lifted the TRO it issued in opposition to the NCAP of the MMDA. Nonetheless, SC spokesperson Atty. Camille Sue Mae Ting clarified that the TRO for native authorities unit ordinances on NCAP stays.
With the lifting of the restraining order, the NCAP system will resume over areas it coated earlier than, just like the Epifanio delos Santos Avenue, C-5 Highway, Katipunan Avenue, Marcos Freeway, Roxas Boulevard, Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon Avenue, West Avenue, E. Rodriguez Avenue, and Buendia Avenue.
Salceda in 2022 proposed amendments to the nation’s transportation regulation or Republic Act No. 4136, to incorporate provisions for motorists’ rights and limits on penalties.
Beneath Home Invoice No. 3423 filed final August 9, 2022, Salceda desires to position an inventory of duties of motorists to pedestrians, all to make streets safer.
READ: Salceda: Amend transportation regulation to incorporate motorists’ invoice of rights, cap on penalties
Moreover, he burdened that there must be a necessity to guard motorists from “unreasonable surcharges, charges, taxes, and fines”, apart from reducing fines or offering various punishment for folks driving as a supply of earnings or livelihood.
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Salceda stated that he considered the invoice after being made conscious of the excessive penalties introduced by the NCAP. /cb
