MMDA personnel may only use sirens, blinkers during emergencies —OIC

Personnel of Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) are not authorized to use sirens and blinkers unless they are responding to an emergency, a top agency official said.

MMDA officer-in-charge Director Baltazar Melgar made the remark as the agency aims to intensify the law against illegal use of sirens and blinkers.

Melgar said he ordered the pull-out of their motorcycle escorts from all government agencies to support the campaign.

“Actually, ‘yung aming mga personnel na gumagamit ng wang-wang at blinkers—mayroon po kaming memorandum na ini-issue na gagamitin lang nila ang mga vehicles na ito during emergency,” Melgar said in a press briefing.

(Actually, for our personnel, we have issued a memorandum that they could only use these vehicles with sirens and blinkers during emergencies.)

Under Presidential Decree No. 96 issued by late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr., motorists are prohibited from using emergency devices including blinkers and dome lights.

These emergency devices are allowed only on ambulances, fire trucks, and vehicles of the Philippine National Police, the military, the National Bureau of Investigation, and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board during emergency situations.

Also allowed to use sirens and blinkers are the country’s top five officials: the President, the Vice-President, the Senate President, the House Speaker, and the Chief Justice.

Senator JV Ejercito earlier urged President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to revive the campaign against unauthorized use of sirens and similar emergency devices. — BM, GMA News