MANILA, Philippines: In a bid to promote the welfare and well-being of the general public, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. issued an administrative order prohibiting government officials and personnel from using sirens, blinkers and other similar signaling or flashing devices.

In Administrative Order 18 he signed on March 25, Marcos said 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 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," the President said in his order.

"This administration is committed to promote the welfare and the well-being of the general public by ensuring a safe and more organized road and traffic environment," he added.

The President said that unauthorized and improper use of signaling or flashing devices by government officials and employees shall be dealt with in accordance with applicable laws, rules and regulations.

Exempted from the order are the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), the Philippine National Police, fire trucks, hospital ambulances and other emergency vehicles.

"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," Marcos 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 the AO 18, subject to existing laws, rules and regulations.

AO 18, which was made public on Thursday, will take effect immediately upon publication in the Official Gazette, or in a newspaper of general circulation.

To recall, the late president Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino 3rd made the indiscriminate use of blasing sirens and such devices a landmark policy in his inaugural speech in 2010, while former president Rodrigo Duterte said in a speech in 2018 that he will maintain the policy.

Under the Presidential Decree 96 issued by the late president Ferdinand Marcos Sr. in 1973, the use of sirens, bells, horns, whistles or similar gadgets "that produce exceptionally loud or startling sound," as well as blinkers and "similar signaling or flashing devices," are illegal for common vehicle owners.

The said devices may only be used on vehicles for official use by the AFP, NBI, Land Transportation Commission, police departments, fire departments, and hospital ambulances, according to the decree.

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