Crackdown on vehicles with sirens, blinkers on

CEBU, Philippines —  Only vehicles accredited by the Land Transportation Office can use sirens and blinkers, and government agencies concerned have seven days to comply or face fines, or even have the vehicle’s registration revoked.

The seven-day countdown started last Friday.

Presidential Decree 96 allows only vehicles of LTO, Armed Forces of the Philippines, National Bureau of Investigation, police departments, fire departments, and hospital ambulances to use sirens.

PNP Director General Oscar Albayalde wants the decree enforced strictly owing to reports political candidates are using sirens and blinkers on vehicles used in their campaigns.

"Gusto na gyud i-enforce ang balaod, however, for humanitarian consideration, nihatag mi og time for those agencies, individuals, para pud intawon nga di sila makamahay namo (We want to enforce the decree immediately but for humanitarian consideration, those agencies or individuals are given time to accredit their vehicles, so they cannot blame us, if ever)," said Captain Arrieza Otida, spokesperson of the Cebu City Police Office.

Ronald Malacora, operations chief of the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CCDRRMO), said the city owns several vehicles that have blinkers and sirens, including 30 ambulances, fire trucks, quick response team vehicles; over 20 vehicles assigned with the Cebu City Police Office.

He asked for the LTO for consideration.

“Mohangyo siguro mi ani sa LTO kay sa akong nahibaw-an, wala man ta nagkuha og accreditation sa LTO kay I thought exempted ang mga vehicles nga moresponde og emergency (We will ask for consideration from LTO because as far as I know, the city did not get accreditation because I thought vehicles that respond to emergencies are exempt),” he told The FREEMAN.

Malacora also sits as head of the Department of General Services.

Otida said certain considerations may be given but the city must have the vehicles accredited with LTO.

"Naa tay mga considerations kay ni-help man sila sa emergency… for the purpose of the general welfare, gi-consider sila, however, kinahanglan gihapong mo-request for accreditation, the same with those vehicles nga naa sa traffic office (We can give considerations because the vehicles helped in emergency response… for the purpose of the general welfare, we can give consideration, but the vehicles must be accredited),"Otida added.

Malacora said he will ask one of his men to visit the LTO tomorrow, Monday, to clarify matters and to ask for consideration officially.

He said the city will comply with all accreditation requirements and will only ask LTO to give it ample time to do so. —  JMO (FREEMAN)