Responding emergency vehicles exempted from NCAP—MMDA
The Metro Manila Development Authority pointed out that emergency vehicles are exempted from its reimplemented no contact apprehension policy.
In a statement on May 28, the MMDA said ambulances, fire trucks, and police units that are responding to emergencies are immune to traffic violations.
"Malinaw na pinaliwanag ni MMDA Chairman Atty. Don Artes sa interview ng ABS-CBN na hindi ito automatic dahil kailangan tiyakin na legitimate ang mga emergency vehicles," the agency said.
It, however, noted that the NCAP system cannot include all blinkers and sirens in the exemption for fear of abuse.
"Kailangan din siguraduhin na lehitimo na emergency vehicle talaga ang sasakyan dahil meron nang insidente noon na isang service ng funeraria ay nilagyan ng tatak na ambulance," it said.
The MMDA reiterated that those not responding to emergencies must observe traffic rules as usual.
But in a situation in which a responding emergency vehicle crosses despite the red light, other ordinary vehicles that would give way won't be penalized.
"Muling paliwanag ng MMDA, sa ilalim ng NCAP kapag ang isang emergency vehicle ay tumawid kahit naka-red light na nakita sa CCTV cameras pati na ang mga ordinaryong sasakyan na nagbigay daan sa emergency vehicle ay hindi makakatanggap ng notice of violation," it said.
The MMDA made the clarification after a media organization published a story with the headline, "MMDA says no exemptions under NCAP." Noting that the title of the article is "misleading," the agency shared a screenshot of its social media caption that read, "MMDA Chairman Romando Artes told ABS-CBN News that even emergency vehicles such as ambulances and firetrucks are not exempted."
The NCAP was reimplemented last May 26.
Under the policy, an MMDA operator at the command center reviews and confirms footage when a traffic violation is committed. The operator then checks the vehicle's registration details. Once verified, the operator inputs the violation into the NCAP system, which automatically generates and delivers a notice of violation to the motorist's registered address.
NCAP fines may be paid online via the Landbank portal or in person at the MMDA Redemption Office in Pasig. If the fine remains unpaid, the vehicle's license plate will be added to the Land Transportation Office's alarm list.
The NCAP system has been suspended for the last three years. In August 2022, the Supreme Court issued a temporary restraining order against the policy, which had been implemented in cities in Metro Manila through local ordinances.
On May 20, the SC partially lifted the TRO against the NCAP, making the MMDA the only entity that can implement the policy.
The MMDA on X shared a list of major roads covered by the NCAP:
Circumferential Roads
- C1 – Recto
- C2 – Mendoza, Pres. Quirino Avenue
- C3 – Araneta Avenue
- C4 – EDSA
- C5 – C.P. Garcia, Katipunan Ave., Tandang Sora
Radial Roads
- R1 – Roxas Boulevard
- R2 – Taft Avenue
- R3 – South Superhighway
- R4 – Shaw Boulevard
- R5 – Ortigas Avenue
- R6 – Magsaysay Boulevard, Aurora Boulevard
- R7 – Quezon Avenue, Commonwealth Avenue
- R8 – A. Bonifacio
- R9 – Rizal Avenue
- R10 – Del Pan, Marcos Highway, McArthur Highway
