Marcos bars gov’t officials, personnel from using sirens, blinkers

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (Photo: Bongbong Marcos/Facebook)

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has prohibited government officials and personnel from using sirens, blinkers and other similar signaling or flashing devices.

In his Administrative Order (AO) No. 18, Marcos said 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.

“All government officials and personnel are hereby 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,” Marcos said in his order.

Exempted from the prohibition are vehicles of 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.

Marcos warned that unauthorized and improper use of signaling or flashing devices will be dealt with following applicable laws, rules and regulations.

“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,” he said.

The Department of Transportation, along with other government agencies, is directed to review, regulate and evaluate and update existing policies and guidelines to ensure the effective implementation of AO 18.

Regulation of low-numbered protocol plates

Meanwhile, Marcos ordered a regulation of the issuance of protocol license plates to government officials amid increasing complaints on proliferation and unauthorized use.

The President issued Executive Order (EO) 56, to amend EO No. 400 (s. 2005), cutting the number of government officials entitled to use protocol license plates to 14 from the previous list of 16 officials.

On the list are the President with number 1 designation; Vice President, 2; Senate President, 3; Speaker of the House of Representatives, 4; Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, 5; Cabinet Secretaries, 6; Senators, 7; Members of the House of Representatives, 8; and Associate Justices of the Supreme Court, 9.

The Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeals (CA), Court of Tax Appeals (CTA), Sandiganbayan, and Solicitors General were given the number 10 designation; the Chairperson of Constitutional Commission and Ombudsman, 11; and the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Chief of the Philippine National Police, 14.

Under the EO, the use of protocol license plates by authorized officials are upon the recommendation of the Land Transportation Office (LTO), approval of the Secretary of the Department of Transportation (DOTr), and based on the list of all officials with equivalent rank as the above-authorized officials of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

The EO made clear that although the Associate Justices of the CA, CTA and Sandiganbayan may be allowed to use protocol license plates upon LTO’s recommendation and transportation secretary’s approval, this shall not be “construed to authorize all other officials with equivalent rank as the Associate Justices of the CA, CTA and Sandiganbayan and below to use protocol license plates.”

The authorized officials will only be allowed a maximum of two pairs of protocol license plates, while the President, Vice President, Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court may be allowed a maximum of three pairs.

The assignment and transfer of protocol license plates to unauthorized persons or motor vehicles is also strictly prohibited.

The DOTr is tasked to develop and maintain a registry of protocol license plates issued to all authorized government officials or motor vehicles, and implement guidelines, along with the LTO, that will not in any way expand the list of officials authorized to use protocol license plates.

AO 18 and EO 56, both signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on March 25, will take effect immediately after publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation.