MANILA, Philippines— Several senators on Thursday backed the prohibition on the use of sirens and other signaling devices by government officials and personnel, except for one who opposed its outright ban.
The ban was contained in a new administrative order recently issued by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva and Senators Grace Poe and JV Ejercito hailed the President’s order in separate statements.
They all agreed that government officials must set an example to their constituents, especially in the face of the worsening traffic conditions in the country.
“Let’s reject the wang-wang mentality! Villanueva said.
“Huwag na po tayong dumagdag sa kalbaryo ng ating mga kababayang araw-araw na tinitiis ang trapik sa iba’t ibang lugar sa bansa,” he added.
(Let’s not add to the daily ordeal of the people who endure heavy traffic across the country.)
It is also about time, he said, that the sale of sirens, blinkers, dome lights and other similar emergency devices sh be limited to vehicles for official use by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), police departments, fire departments, and hospital ambulances only.
Poe, meanwhile, said government officials “must lead the way in shunning abuse and the display of self-entitlement on the road.”
“Pantay-pantay tayo dapat kahit sa kalsada. Ang byahe ng government officials ay kasing importante rin ng byahe ng ordinaryong mamamayan,” she said.
(There should be equal treatment, even on the road. The road trips of government officials are as important as those of ordinary citizens.)
“Kung may wang-wang, paano mararamdaman ng taga-gobyerno ang sakripisyo ng ating mga kababayan sa araw-araw na trapiko?” added Poe, who heads the Senate committee on public services.
(If sirens and blinkers are used, how will government officials feel the sacrifices of ordinary citizens in everyday traffic?)
In supporting the President’s order, Ejercito noted how using sirens, blinkers, and police escorts in a convoy “has become a trend for government officials these days.”
“The feeling of entitlement,” he quipped.
Ejercito said he was happy that Marcos revived the ban, first implemented during the Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III administration.
However, Marcos’ sister, Senator Imee Marcos, opposed this “outright ban,” which she said was unrealistic.
“The use of sirens and other signaling device should not be banned outright but should be heavily regulated,” Marcos said in another statement.
“There are valid uses for these types of equipment,” she said.
In an interview with Senate reporters, Sen. Marcos said the prohibition should be on a case-to-case basis.
“Maganda naman yung outright ban sa ating wang-wang pero para sa akin hindi makatotohanan yung outright dahil alam naman natin may mga okasyon, kung dumadaan ang presidente halimbawa ang mismong pangulo at kapag may bisita tayo na heads of state din galing sa labas alangan naman nating paghintayin sa traffic. Huwag namang ganun,” she said.
(The outright ban on sirens is good, but for me, an outright ban isn’t realistic because we know there are occasions, such as when the President himself passes by or when we have visitors who are heads of state, where it’s not appropriate to make them wait in traffic.)
“Yung blanket authority naman, AFP, PNP (Philippine National Police), eh baka naman hindi emergency yon e siguro naman pwede ring i-fine tune yung pagkasulat,” she added.
(The blanket authority, AFP, PNP, might not always be for emergencies, so perhaps the wording can also be fine-tuned.)
Exempted from the President’s order are “motor vehicles designated for official use by the AFP, National Bureau of Investigation, and PNP, and fire trucks, hospital ambulances and other emergency vehicles.”
“The government should be strict in curtailing abuses in the use of these devices and those that abuse these devices should be apprehended and be held liable under our laws,” Sen. Marcos said.