President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has implemented a regulation prohibiting government employees and officials from using blinkers and sirens, emulating the late President Benigno Aquino III’s prohibition on “wang-wang.”
In order to encourage a road and traffic environment that is safer and more structured, the Malacañang issued Administrative Order 18.
The directive, which was recently made public and signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on March 25, concerns the common and unlawful use of sirens, blinkers, and other flashing devices that interrupt traffic and create dangerous roads.
Recall that, as stated in AO 18, utilizing these devices is only permitted in emergency situations or to guarantee the safety of emergency responders. This is important information for government officials and staff.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Philippine National Police (PNP), the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), fire trucks, hospital ambulances, and other emergency vehicles are exempt from this directive.
This order is in accordance with Presidential Decree 96 of 1973, which forbade the mounting of dome lights, blinkers, horns, bells, horns, sirens, and other noisy devices on automobiles unless they belonged to approved emergency services.
Former President Aquino’s “wang-wang” ban served as a symbol of his opposition to elite lawlessness and entitlement.
