2nd District Rep. Jose Enrique Garcia III explains the importance of the no contact apprehension program as (L-R) traffic systems specialist Manolo Ona, Gov. Albert Garcia, Vice Gov. Cris Garcia and SP member Popoy del Rosario listen. Photo by Ernie Esconde
ORANI, Bataan — The provincial government here launched on Thursday the no-contact apprehension program (NCAP) for motorists along the 68-kilometer provincial superhighway known as Roman Highway that traverses from Layac in Dinalupihan to Mariveles.
The program is under the public- private partnership scheme between the provincial government and Qpax Traffic Systems.
Second District Rep. Jose Enrique Garcia III said that many big trucks are using the highway and not easy to monitor.
Among those passing the four-lane highway presently being transformed into six lanes are cargo trucks, dump trucks, and oil and liquefied petroleum gas tankers loading products from Limay and Mariveles towns.
Mariveles is home to the Freeport Area of Bataan that has more than 90 multinational companies. Cargo trucks and dump trucks carry raw materials for the factories and in return load finished products.
“Sa partnership na ito, inaasahan natin na ito’y magdudulot ng mas magandang daloy ng trapiko sa Roman Highway at makakaiwas na sa aksidente dahil ang apprehension ay 24/7. Talagang mamo-monitor na ang mga sasakyan. Malaki ang maitutulong nito para makabawas sa mga aksidente at pagkawala ng buhay,” the congressman said.
Manolo Ona, traffic systems specialist, presented the background of the cameras to be used.
“We are very excited to help government implement the project and help in enforcement and changing driver’s behavior,” he said.
Ona said the cameras have infrared lights so that even in the evening the features are clear. The cameras use radar technology that can accurately record speed of 10 to 250 kilometers per hour.
The state-of-the-art cameras can accurately capture the conduction stickers and plate numbers of vehicles used by erring motorists through the information database of the Land Transportation Office.
The projected number of cameras for the highway, Ona said, will be completed within the next few months. The new cameras will be installed in addition to CCTVs already functional and maintained by the Metro Bataan Development Authority (MBDA).
To jumpstart the project, he said that the private company will invest P50 million.
Ona said Bataan is the first province in the country to implement NCAP that has been previously launched in the cities of Paranaque, Valenzuela, Manila, Cauayan and Quezon City.
Gov. Albert Garcia considered the partnership between the provincial government and Qpax on the NCAP for motorists as “very important.”
“Gusto nating maging ligtas ang Bataan Road o Roman Highway. Dahil pababa na ang pandemya, dadami uli ang mga sasakyan at mga turista, mga bisita, mga cargo trucks, cargo vans na dadaaan sa ating highway,” the governor said. Dadami sasakyang gagamit sa ating highway at baka tumaas din ang volume of accident.”
Garcia said MBDA has implemented many projects like lighting of almost 80 percent of the highway, installation of 100 CCTVs, patrolling day and night, assisting motorists and maintaining traffic.
He said that in the new feature to be implemented, the erring motorist has not to be physically stopped but will receive a notice of violation and penalty.
“Sa programang ito, walang ginastos ang gobyerno. Ang gumastos ang private partner. Hindi natin habol ang penalty, secondary lang ito. Ang habol natin dito ay ang maiwasan ang aksidente, maiwasan ang masasaktan at maiwasan lalo na ang mawala ang buhay,” the governor said.
Also in attendance during the launch at the Bataan Command Center in Orani town were Vice-Gov. Cris Garcia, Pilar Mayor Carlos Pizarro, Jr., Limay Vice Mayor Richie David, sangguniang panlalawigan member Popoy del Rosario, provincial police director Col. Joel Tampis and MBDA general manager Christopher Pizarro.
