Marcos bars gov’t officials from using blinkers, sirens

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. prohibited all government officials and personnel from using sirens, blinkers, and other similar devices, noting it causes “traffic disruptions and unsafe road and traffic environment.”

Marcos issued Administrative Order (AO) No. 18, stressing that such equipment may only be utilized during emergencies and that their unauthorized use will be addressed under applicable laws, rules, and regulations.

Sirens, blinkers, flashing lights. INQUIRER.net stock photo

The presidential directive, however, exempts responding fire trucks, ambulances, and other emergency vehicles, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the National Bureau of Investigation, and the Philippine National Police.

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“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,” AO No. 18 states.

“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,” it further states.

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The order likewise tasked the Department of Transportation and other concerned agencies to “review, evaluate and update existing policies and guidelines to ensure the effective implementation of this Order, subject to existing laws, rules and regulations.”

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin signed AO No. 18 on March 25. The document was made public only on Thursday, April 11.

AO No. 18 shall take effect immediately upon publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.