MANILA, (PNA) –Unregulated use of sirens, bells, horns, whistles or similar gadgets that emit exceptionally loud or startling sounds attached to a vehicle will soon be a criminal offense once a bill filed by two Mindanao lawmakers is approved by Congress.
Rep. Rufus Rodriguez (2nd District, Cagayan De Oro City) and his brother Rep. Maximo Rodriguez Jr. (Party-list, Abante Mindanao) filed House Bill 2557 to prevent private vehicles belonging to supposed Very Important Persons (VIPs) to abuse their power and privilege by driving like they own the roads and violate all sorts of traffic rules.
The bill penalizes a person caught using, selling or distributing a prohibited device or gadget, without the proper authorization, with six months imprisonment and a fine of P100,000. Also, any device or gadget installed or mounted on any motor vehicle shall be confiscated.
Rodriguez said part of a Filipino’s driving experience includes being cut off by private vehicles owned by VIPs using sirens or “wang-wangs”.
“The chaotic conditions from which our people have suffered and still continue to suffer are the direct result of indiscriminate and unregulated use of sirens, bells, horns, whistles and similar gadgets that emit exceptionally loud or startling sounds, including dome lights and other similar signaling or flashing devices attached to motor vehicles and used on the highways,” Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez said it has been observed that unregulated use of these devices actually impedes and confuses traffic on the highways, and constitutes a major problem in the maintenance of peace and order.
“Even President Noynoy Aquino denounced the use of sirens in his inaugural speech, and has set an example by directing his Presidential Security Group not to use the sirens of his presidential convoy,” Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez said in order to further strengthen the orders of the President and Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Jesus Verzosa, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
Under the measure, the use of sirens, bells, horns, whistles and similar gadgets that emit exceptionally loud or startling sounds, including domelights and other similar signaling or flashing devices is declared illegal.
It is also declared unlawful that the selling and distribution of these gadgets or devices without the proper authority to be issued by the Land Transportation Office (LTO).
Exempted from this prohibition are the official vehicles of the President, Vice-President, Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
Further, these gadgets or devices may be attached to and used only on motor vehicles designated for official use by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Land Transportation Office (LTO), Police and Fire Departments and hospital ambulances.