BBM bans 'wang-wang' use by gov't officials

Rules tightened on protocol plate issuance

- HELEN FLORES

For road safety and better traffic management, President Marcos has revived a policy prohibiting government officials and personnel from using sirens or wang-wang, blinkers and other similar signaling or flashing devices.

At the same time, Marcos has restricted the use of protocol license plates, with judges losing the privilege.

Exempted from the order on sirens are official vehicles of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and Philippine National Police (PNP) as well as fire trucks, hospital ambulances and other emergency vehicles.

"All government officials and personnel are prohibited from utilizing sirens, blinkers and other similar gadgets that produce exceptionally loud or startling sound, including dome lights, blinkers, or other similar signaling or flashing devices," declared Marcos' Administrative Order No. 18, which Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin signed on March 25.

Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III, during his presidential inaugural address in 2010, announced a policy against wang-wang, which he said was a message against VIP entitlements and those who want to jump the line at ordinary people's expense.

Marcos' father and namesake had imposed a similar ban during martial law, under Presidential Decree 96 in 1973.

PD 96 allows only the AFP, PNP, NBI, fire trucks and hospital ambulances to use sirens, bells, horns or similar gadgets.

Marcos said the administration is committed to promote the welfare and well-being of the public by ensuring a safe and more organized road and traffic environment.

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 environments.