No-Contact Apprehension Policy: Overcoming its Current Impasse

Abstract

Notwithstanding the establishment of a notable road safety strategy, the implementation of other traffic-related policies in the Philippines remains a problematic issue. In response to the increasing incidence of traffic-related problems, a select number of local government units – most were city governments – implemented the No-Contact Apprehension Policy in major thoroughfares and crossings of the National Capital Region. The implementation of the No-Contact Apprehension Policy initially went well until it was questioned by a lawyer and several transportation groups before the Supreme Court. The basic contention of the petition that was filed before the Supreme Court was that the No-Contact Apprehension Policy violated the rights of those who were caught and penalized. To date, the Supreme Court has yet to decide on the fate of the No-Contact Apprehension Policy, as the general public patiently awaits its landmark decision. This policy paper aims to examine the No-Contact Apprehension Policy through the important observations made by various stakeholders during its implementation stage. Similarly, this paper aimed to analyze which among the identified alternatives gave the government institutions concerned the most feasible solution to break or overcome their current impasse. Based on the analysis and comparison of the three alternatives, the modified version of the policy appears to be the most feasible among them.