Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 17) — The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has formed a technical panel to discuss the issues and proposals regarding the no contact apprehension policy (NCAP).
“The LTO formed a Technical Working Group (TWG), as per a directive from LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Teofilo Guadiz III. The group will discuss possible proposals for consideration ahead of its talks with local government units (LGUs) and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA),” the agency said in a statement Wednesday.
In an Aug. 11 public briefing, Clarence Guinto, regional director of LTO Metro Manila, said they already met with concerned officials along with transport group leaders to discuss their concerns on the policy. This will be followed by another meeting for possible adjustments to its guidelines.
The LTO said the meeting with the LGUs and MMDA is expected to take place in the coming days to be able to craft guidelines on the NCAP “that is fair and acceptable to all stakeholders.”
“We believe that the talks between the LTO, the LGUs and the MMDA is the best way forward to once and for all come up with fair guidelines on the NCAP’s implementation. We hope the LGUs and its mayors will be more open to receive inputs as to how best the NCAP will be implemented,” Guadiz said.
He also assured that the LTO will remain engaged in ironing out the policy even though its role in the implementation is limited to alarm tagging.
“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,” Guadiz said.
The Supreme Court confirmed on Tuesday that four transport groups filed a petition against LGUs implementing NCAP and the LTO.
