President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. has prohibited government officials and personnel from using sirens, blinkers, and other similar signaling devices to ensure a safer and more orderly road and traffic environment.
"It has been observed that the unauthorized and indiscriminate use of sirens, blinkers, and other similar signaling or flashing devices has been rampant, causing traffic disruptions and unsafe road and traffic environment," Marcos said through Administrative Order No. 18.
Signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on March 25 but only made public on Thursday, the order stated that unauthorized and improper use of signaling or flashing devices by government officials and employees shall be dealt with in accordance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations.
Exempted from the order are the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Exempted from the AO are the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), the Philippine National Police (PNP), fire trucks, hospital ambulances and other emergency vehicles.
"In this light, all government officials and personnel are hereby reminded that use of sirens, dome lights, blinkers and other similar devices shall only be under exigent or emergency circumstances or situations or to ensure the expedient and safe passage of emergency responders," Marcos said.
To recall, the campaign against "wangwang" was one of the symbols of leadership of the late President Benigno 'Noynoy' Aquino Jr.
Presidential Decree 96, issued in 1973, prohibited the use or attachment of any siren, bell, horn, whistle or similar gadgets that produce exceptionally loud or startling sound, including dome lights and blinkers, to any vehicles except those from the police, military, NBI, fire trucks, and hospital ambulances.
The campaign against "wangwang" became a symbol of the leadership of former President Aquino.
