6 Magical Solutions for your EDSA NCAP woes

How to get out of all NCAP violations

So, NCAP has returned.

The lifting of the TRO means that the No Contact Apprehension Program is back, utilizing the expansive CCTV network of the MMDA to remotely apprehend those who intend to disregard markings, signs, and the many other generally draconian rules of the road.  And they’re going to do it from the comfort of their air-conditioned tower.

So, how can you beat the system? Are there sure-fire ways to stick it to NCAP and assert your freedom on EDSA or on other roads to do as you please? Let us count the ways.

1. Cover your Plates

We’re now seeing people coming up with ways to obscure or cover their plates, and that is indeed an ingenious idea! They can’t catch you and send a notice if they can’t see the plate or the conduction sticker clearly while you’re on EDSA. But be warned: they can backtrack your vehicle all the way to your home via CCTV if they involve the PNP. That’s how they apprehend criminals.

2. Complain on Social Media

As we all know, posting about it on social media gets the likes and the attention, and that is more important than actually doing it in person. But hey, the more attention means more action, as a lot of legislators do pay attention to social media in order to stay relevant and up to date. If your social media posts are successful, they’ll call in the concerned agency heads for inquiries and the like.

3. Protest to the MMDA, Senate, Congress

But why bother with social media? Why not protest in front of the MMDA’s office along Julia Vargas in Pasig? Hold a noise barrage or even get down and picket in front of their office if you have the time. Better yet, why not call or email the Senators and Representatives you voted for in the elections and have them get in on the action. They have to listen, because you are their constituents.

4. Call your Lawyer

If you do get a love letter for an NCAP violation, one option is to call your lawyer. Attorneys all around the country have plenty of time to dedicate to these things, and they can always throw the book at the MMDA for you in order to get you out of an NCAP violation. Just be sure to pay the retainer.

5. Call your Padrino

We all have someone on our phone that we can call in case of times we get apprehended by enforcers or police; the kind of person that can make things go away if need be. Yes, we’re talking about your padrino. Maybe it’s your ninong or ninang, tito or tita, kuya or ate, or even your parents, and they know people or are even in positions of authority themselves to be of use, and maybe it’s time for you to ask for a favor.

With one call, you can wipe out the efficacy of NCAP by undermining the process and intent, and perpetuating a cycle of corruption, patronage politics, and all the other ills of the nation. We’re sure it’s worth it to go through any of the 5 items we listed above to try and avoid or beat NCAP, and there are probably more ways.

6. Do the Right Thing

Or you can respect the purpose of NCAP and just do the right thing: Learn and follow the basic rules as stated by the signs and markings on the road. I mean, it’s not easy. We’ll even attach all the pages of the LTO’s guide to all the standard road signs and road markings below, so you can read, memorize, and respect what these mean.

Why? It’s to keep you, motorists, pedestrians, and other road users safe. And it helps keep traffic flowing in an orderly manner. If we can’t even follow the most basic of rules, then we don’t belong on the road.

If there's nothing to apprehend, then why worry about NCAP?