Castelo opposes ‘no contact apprehension’ ordinance
QUEZON City legislator Winnie Castelo on Thursday opposed the proposed ordinance mandating a no-contact apprehension program for traffic violations in Quezon City, stressing it is an added burden to the people in this time of coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic.
“In principle, I agree with the program and its objectives, but it should be implemented in normal times, not during this time of crisis when our people are suffering from the almost two years of pandemic,” Castelo, a member of the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD) led by House Majority Leader and Leyte 1st District Rep. Martin G. Romualdez, said.
The implementation will bring an added economic burden to PUV drivers and ordinary car owners specially the residents of Quezon City, Castelo added.
Castelo instead urge the use of manpower, resources and logistics of the Department of Order and Public Safety whose office has millions of pesos at their disposal for traffic discipline.
He said that the recommended fine of 2,000 is excessive and exorbitant considering the economic difficulties we are experiencing now.
“The system is also outdated because it only captures the vehicle’s license plates and the violation ticket is sent to the vehicle’s registered owner and not the actual violator, the driver or whoever is
in possession of the vehicle at the time. This would be unfair and inconvenient to registered owners because they can not register their vehicles without paying the fines, Castelo concluded.
