MMDA’s blinkers, sirens only allowed during emergency, official duty

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has recently released a memorandum against the unauthorized use of blinkers and sirens.

MMDA Officer-in-Charge Director Baltazar Melgar said that the recently issued memorandum bars all its officials and employees from using sirens and blinkers and other similar devices (except under certain conditions), in compliance with the parameters of the Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG).

“Sirens and blinkers should be attached to marked MMDA vehicles and used in the actual performance of the duties and functions of the agency. Violators among our ranks will face administrative charges,” Melgar said.

Further, the agency shared that in support of the initiative against illegal use of blinkers and sirens, its motorcycle escorts detailed to various government officials have also been pulled out.

PNP-HPG Service Legal Officer Police Captain Bingsky Foncardas explained that specific parameters should be met to be allowed to use blinkers and sirens — citing Presidential Decree 96 (issued in 1973) and Republic 4136 (also known as the Land Transportation and Traffic Code, released in 1964).

“For authorized use of wang-wang (sirens) and blinkers, the vehicle must be a marked government property which is used only during official functions or performance of duties such as emergency response and law enforcement,” Foncardas shared.

Further, Foncardas noted that the following are the only government officials allowed to attach and use sirens, blinkers, and other similar devices:

• President
• Vice President
• Senate President
• Speaker of the House of Representatives
• Chief Justice of the Supreme Court

Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board Chair Atty. Cheloy Gerafil, Inter-Agency Council for Traffic’s Charlie Del Rosario, and Land Transportation Office’s Atty. MJ Paras-Leynes have also expressed support for the aforementioned campaign.

 Photos from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority

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