Here we go again. The Supreme Court has partially lifted the Temporary Restraining Order on the No-Contact Apprehension Program (NCAP), effectively clearing the way for authorities to give the controversial traffic enforcement scheme another go. And while some motorists may already be clutching their steering wheels in protest, this might just be the reboot Metro Manila’s chaotic roads so desperately need.

“Partial” lifting means the TRO is being lifted in the areas of responsibility under the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, but remains in those under local government units.

The MMDA had filed an urgent motion to revive the policy, citing the refurbishment of EDSA as reason for the need to bring it back. As if traffic on that iconic “stretch of stress” wasn’t already bad enough, now we’re talking about major infrastructure work that could make Carmageddon look like a relaxing Sunday drive. In this light, it’s easy to see why the agency wants to revive a system that—at least in theory—can help bring order to the madness.

Let’s get one thing out of the way: NCAP is not perfect. The initial rollout left plenty to be desired. Confusing local ordinances, inconsistent enforcement, and a serious lack of due-process mechanisms made the experience feel less like a safety initiative and more like a high-tech ambush. Add to that a few overzealous LGUs who seemed more interested in raising revenue than raising driver awareness, and it’s not really surprising that the program got slapped with a legal pause. But now that we’re back at the starting line, maybe it’s time to learn from those mistakes—rather than throw out the whole idea.

Anyone who has ever driven in Metro Manila knows that some intersections and even whole areas feel more like entrapment operations than normal, usable roadways. There are places where road signs change like a mood ring; lane markings vanish into the asphalt; and enforcement officers mysteriously appear only after you’ve already committed some obscure infraction. Just read and watch the various pieces we did on ticket traps—those sneaky spots where the rules seem designed to confuse rather than guide.

NCAP, when done right, helps eliminate exactly that kind of shady enforcement. Cameras don’t ask for bribes. They don’t selectively flag down certain vehicles. They don’t wave you through and then fine you later for going through. And that, in theory, helps fight the kind of corruption that has plagued Philippine traffic enforcement for decades, and that keeps damaging the country’s reputation. With the right implementation, NCAP could be the digital broom that sweeps out the backhanded deals and invisible traffic signs of old.

Of course, not everyone is thrilled about its return. Various transport groups have staged protests, and rightly so. The first time around, a lot of people were fined for violations they didn’t even know they committed, in areas with barely visible signage or unclear local rules. Some vehicle owners were ticketed for infractions committed by other drivers, and contesting those tickets felt like playing a rigged game of bureaucratic bingo.

If NCAP is to succeed, it needs to address these issues head-on. That means standardized road rules across all LGUs, better signage, and a functional, transparent appeals process that doesn’t require a law degree and three months of your life to navigate. Uniformity is the keyword here. You can’t expect a Metro Manila-wide system to work if every city has its own definition of what a “proper left turn” looks like. Either we’re enforcing one set of rules for all, or we’re just automating the confusion.

Ultimately, NCAP is just a tool. A camera mounted on a pole isn’t going to fix Metro Manila’s traffic woes by itself, but it can be part of the solution if it’s used properly. Think of it as a deterrent with a memory. It doesn’t blink. It doesn’t forget. And if you know it’s watching, maybe—just maybe—you’ll think twice before stopping in the yellow box or making that fourth illegal U-turn of the day.

Let’s be honest: Metro Manila is not going to magically become orderly without some tough decisions. People have gotten used to bending the rules because they know they can get away with it. NCAP changes that dynamic—quietly, consistently, and without the usual P500-bill-under-the-license routine. So, yes, bring it back. But this time, do it properly. Make the rules clear. Make enforcement fair. And make sure the system works not just for the enforcers, but also for the millions of regular drivers just trying to get from A to B without getting caught in another trap.