Albay Rep. Joey Salceda —Inquirer picture
MANILA, Philippines — Whereas he sees no drawback within the Supreme Courtroom (SC) choice to elevate the short-term restraining order (TRO) towards the no-contact apprehension coverage (NCAP) of the Metropolitan Manila Growth Authority (MMDA), Albay Rep. Joey Salceda believes sure reforms and measures have to be positioned first.
Salceda in a press release on Tuesday talked about 4 issues that needs to be carried out earlier than implementing the NCAP—a system that makes use of closed circuit tv (CCTV) cameras and different digital means in imposing site visitors legal guidelines—together with a transparent appeals mechanism and the location of uniform site visitors guidelines and signages.
“I respect the Supreme Courtroom’s choice lifting the TRO on the No-Contact Apprehension Coverage,” he mentioned.
READ: No-contact apprehension takes impact alongside main roads after SC lifts TRO
“However earlier than it’s applied, 4 crucial safeguards have to be in place: (1) A transparent and accessible appeals mechanism—similar to in the USA, the place NCAP-type violations could be contested earlier than a site visitors choose; (2) Correct street signages and uniform site visitors guidelines throughout Metro Manila—many roads nonetheless undergo from inconsistent or hidden indicators,” Salceda added.
The 2 different measures in response to Salceda embody, (3) Assurances that NCAP won’t penalize pedestrians unfairly, particularly in areas with out secure 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 corporations by way of PPPs—don’t violate commuter rights or due course of.
“I help high-tech site visitors enforcement. However we must not ever enable a system the place drivers and commuters are penalized with out recourse, transparency, or equity,” he mentioned.
“Know-how should uphold the Structure—not bypass it. NCAP have to be a software for justice, not simply income,” he added.
SC on Tuesday introduced that it has partially lifted the TRO it issued towards 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 lined 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 legislation or Republic Act No. 4136, to incorporate provisions for motorists’ rights and limits on penalties.
Below Home Invoice No. 3423 filed final August 9, 2022, Salceda needs to position an inventory of duties of motorists to pedestrians, all to make streets safer.
Moreover, he harassed that there needs to be a necessity to guard motorists from “unreasonable surcharges, charges, taxes, and fines”, except for reducing fines or offering various punishment for folks driving as a supply of revenue or livelihood.
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Salceda mentioned that he considered the invoice after being made conscious of the excessive penalties introduced by the NCAP. /cb