By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — The return of camera-based traffic enforcement in Metro Manila today has put transport group MANIBELA on a collision course with local governments over the cost, enforcement and fairness of the system.
NCAP resumes in several cities as authorities move to enforce traffic violations through cameras instead of roadside apprehension. The system operates under the Metro Manila Traffic Code of 2023, which provides common rules and penalties for participating local governments.
MANIBELA has urged authorities to hold consultations before imposing the system on motorists, particularly public utility vehicle drivers who, the group says, could face additional financial pressure from traffic penalties.
The transport group has also questioned the arrangement under which local governments recover the expense of establishing the camera network, arguing that motorists should not effectively shoulder the cost through violation payments.
But with NCAP now operational, the larger issue is whether automated enforcement can improve road discipline while giving motorists a meaningful opportunity to challenge erroneous apprehensions.
For MANIBELA, that means clear rules, accessible procedures for appeals and transparency in how penalties are imposed and collected.
For authorities, the test is whether NCAP can deliver consistent enforcement without turning traffic violations into an additional burden on commuters and drivers already struggling with rising operating costs.
The system is now back on Metro Manila roads. The debate over how it should work has only begun.
ia/xf
