Rules have been tightened on the issuance of protocol plates in a move aimed at enhancing road safety and traffic management. President Marcos has reinstated a policy that prohibits government officials and personnel from using sirens, blinkers, and other signaling or flashing devices. The use of protocol license plates has also been restricted, with judges no longer included in the list of officials entitled to this privilege.
Exceptions to the ban on sirens are official vehicles of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, National Bureau of Investigation, Philippine National Police, fire trucks, hospital ambulances, and other emergency vehicles. The order, known as Marcos’ Administrative Order No. 18, signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on March 25, emphasized the need to curb the unauthorized and indiscriminate use of such devices by government officials and employees.
In a parallel development, Marcos has limited the issuance of low-numbered or protocol plates to government officials. Executive Order 56, issued on the same day, reduced the number of officials entitled to these plates from 16 to 14. The order specified the officials who can use protocol license plates and outlined the conditions for their issuance and use.
The decision to tighten rules on protocol plates and prohibit the use of sirens on the road by government officials has been met with approval from senators. The move is seen as a step towards eliminating VIP entitlements and irresponsible road behavior. The Philippine National Police has called on local government units and other agencies to assist in implementing the ban on sirens and blinkers, emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts to enforce road safety regulations.
