NCAP in the Philippines: A Step Forward or a Missed Opportunity?
By: Kent Zapata
As cities in the Philippines start using the No Contact Apprehension Policy (NCAP), people have
different opinions. Some think it’s a sign of progress. Others feel like it’s just another way to
collect money from the public.
For me, the technology behind NCAP actually makes sense. But I also believe we’re not using it
the way we should.
A Smarter Way to Keep People Off the Streets
NCAP uses cameras to catch traffic violators without needing a traffic enforcer on the road. That
sounds like a good idea, especially in the Philippines where the heat is getting worse every
year. Our traffic enforcers stand out in the middle of the street, exposed to the sun for hours. If a
system like this can help reduce the number of people out there, it’s worth considering.
It can also reduce arguments, physical altercations, and even the chances of bribery. On paper,
it really seems like it could help make things smoother and safer.
But Is It Really About Safety?
Here’s the problem. It feels like the focus of NCAP is less about safety and more about catching
mistakes just to fine people. A lot of drivers don’t even realize they’ve violated anything until
they receive a notice. In some places, there aren’t enough signs to warn you about traffic rules,
and the camera placement doesn’t always feel fair.
It starts to feel more like a money-making machine than a safety system. If this is what
modernization looks like, then it’s hard not to be skeptical.
Why Not Use It to Fight Crime Too?
We already have the cameras. The system works. So why are we only using it to catch traffic
violations?
Why can’t we use this technology to track stolen vehicles, help solve hit-and-run cases, or
support investigations? There are so many ways to apply this tool beyond fines. We talk a lot
about crime in this country, but then we miss out on chances to actually prevent it.
If we really wanted to protect people, we could use NCAP-style systems to make streets safer in
a bigger way.What Are We Really Prioritizing?
At the end of the day, the tool itself isn’t the problem. It’s how we’re choosing to use it. Right
now, it feels like the goal is income from violations instead of actual safety.
If we keep thinking this way, we’ll miss out on the bigger benefits this kind of tech can offer. It
could be used for public safety, emergency response, and even smarter traffic
management—not just penalties.
NCAP has potential. It shows that we’re capable of building smarter systems. But we have to
use them with the right intentions. Not just to catch people doing wrong, but to protect and help
them too.
Technology should be for the people. It should make life easier, safer, and more fair—not more
frustrating.
That’s the kind of progress we should aim for.
These are the conversations we need to have—especially as we explore smarter solutions in
public safety. Join us at the World of Safety and Security Expo (WOSAS) 2025, happening from
July 30 to August 2 at the SMX Convention Center