LAND Transportation Office (LTO) Officer-in-Charge Atty. Romeo G. Vera Cruz reminds the public of the prohibition on the unauthorized use of wang-wang or sirens and blinkers, amid the reported proliferation of the device on major thoroughfares.
Atty. Vera Cruz refers to Presidential Decree No. 96, signed by Former President Ferdinand E. Marcos on 13 January 1973 as the basis for the foregoing prohibition.
“Under PD 96, Decree No. 2, sirens, blinkers, and similar devices may be attached to motor vehicles designated for official use by the Armed Forces of the Philippines, National Bureau of Investigation, Police Departments, Fire Departments, hospital ambulances, and the Land Transportation Commission,” he stressed.
The same PD further provides that the Commissioner of Land Transportation shall draw and promulgate such rules and regulations necessary to give effect to this Decree.
Accordingly, the Land Transportation Commission (now known as the LTO) issued Administrative Order No. 1 Series of 1973 authorizing Law Enforcement Motor Vehicles, Fire Trucks, Hospital Ambulances, as well as Tower Service Cars and Wreckers to be equipped with sirens and blinkers. In addition, the said Administrative Order authorizes the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the National Bureau of Investigation, Police Departments, the Land Transportation Commission, Fire Departments, other motor vehicles authorized to be used for law enforcement services, and ambulances used by hospitals, clinics and medical centers.
He likewise clarified that under the LTO Memorandum on Motorcycle Escorts and Unauthorized Use of Sirens and Blinkers, Markers, etc., dated 23 July 1998, the only other government officials allowed to attach and use sirens, blinkers, and other similar devices are the President, Vice President, Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
He advised that, “Motorists who are unauthorized to use wang-wang, blinkers, and other similar devices should remove these or face the consequences under the law.”
Under the Joint Administrative Order No. 2014-01 dated 2 June 2014, the use of wang-wang, blinkers, or any improper or unauthorized accessories, devices, equipment, and parts constitutes a violation, and shall be meted a fine of PhP 5,000, confiscation of the device/gadget in favor of the government, and the corresponding demerit point against their driver’s license.
