President Marcos has prohibited government officials and personnel from using sirens, blinkers, and other similar signaling and flashing devices, colloquially known as "wang-wang," as they contribute to Metro Manila's worsening traffic condition.

Administrative Order (AO) No. 18, signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on March 25, aims to promote the welfare and well-being of the general public.

In his AO, released on April 11, the President said 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 AO read.

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

"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," the AO read.

Marcos said the unauthorized and improper use of the said devices by government officials and employees shall be dealt with under relevant laws.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr), along with other government agencies, is directed to review, regulate, evaluate, and update existing policies and guidelines to ensure the effective implementation of the AO 18, subject to existing laws.

Over the weekend, President Marcos reminded government officials and employees that being in government is not a privilege that allows them to break traffic rules, prodding them to set an example in following road etiquette.

This was not the first time a Philippine president made an order against the improper use of sirens and signaling devices.

Presidential Decree (PD) No. 96 (s. 1973) prohibited using or attaching any siren, bell, horn, whistle, or similar gadgets that produce exceptionally loud or startling sounds to any motor vehicle. These included dome lights, blinkers, and other similar.

PD 96 exempted motor vehicles designated for official use by the AFP, PNP, NBI, firetrucks, and hospital ambulances from the order.

The Decree further stated that sirens, blinkers, and other similar devices shall only be used in "clearly appropriate circumstances" and only by motor vehicles of the AFP, PNP, NBI, and other emergency vehicles.

The late former president Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III made a similar policy during his inaugural address in 2010 as part of efforts to crack down on entitled and corrupt government officials.  In his 2011 State of the Nation Address (SONA), Aquino said the wang-wang symbolizes the elite's culture of entitlement and flagrant disregard for the law.