LAWMAKERS are pushing for the passage of the proposed no-contact apprehension law to curb abuses of traffic enforcers.
Rep. Manuel Luis T. Lopez (1st district, Manila) said the House Committee on Metro Manila Development (HCMMD) and the House Committee Transportation are now consolidating House Bill (HB) 5656 and HB 9368 for the institution of a nationwide “No Contact Apprehension” policy for traffic violations.
According to Lopez, chairman of the HCMMD, numerous concerns and problems came-up not only with respect to abusive traffic enforcement but also with respect to traffic laws and regulations, which differ from one local government to another.
“It is true that these various traffic schemes and policies among different jurisdictions cause quite a lot of confusion to our countrymen. Most travelers do not just drive around in one city or municipality. Almost always, one’s journey brings us to multiple cities that, unfortunately, have different traffic policies,” he said.
“Worse, due to the subjective tendencies of different traffic enforcers, motorists are the ones at the losing end. And in some cases, maybe I can speak of what is experienced in in Manila, perhaps due to lack of training or maybe due to the culture of abuse of power, the mindset of many Manila traffic enforcers is seemingly focused on catching traffic violators, rather than fixing the traffic problem in their assigned areas. Manila is sadly getting notorious for its ‘kotong’ enforcers and growing corruption,” he added.
The solon said these types of abuses could be averted only if Congress puts some order to this “mess.”
The senior lawmaker said the passage of the aforementioned bills is much needed, to achieve a systematic and uniform traffic policy.
Adopting and institutionalizing the “No-Contact Apprehension” policy for traffic violations is definitely a step towards achieving this goal, according to the lawmaker.
Lopez said erring motorists, who at times evade being caught when there are no traffic enforcers, can no longer escape the consequences of their driving violations as CCTV camera systems will be in place 24-7 to capture such violations.
“Abusive and corrupt traffic enforcers will also be a thing of the past, as they will no longer have the authority, in general, to make a face-to-face or close contact traffic-related apprehension,” he added.
“As we are living in harder and more challenging times, dealing with inconsistent and abusive traffic management policies should not be made to compound these already heavy burdens,” Lopez said.
Deputy Speaker Weslie Gatchalian of Valenzuela, meanwhile, presented to the committee an effective model of no contact apprehension implemented in his city.