Noynoy convoy stopping for red lights

MANILA, Philippines - On his first day in office, President Aquino set a good example by obeying traffic rules on his way to Malacañang.

Yesterday, Mr. Aquino followed the same routine of stopping at every stoplight.

On his orders, the Presidential Security Group (PSG) escorts are not using their sirens to warn motorists to give way to the Chief Executive.

From Quezon Avenue, the President’s convoy did not take a shortcut by turning left on Araneta Avenue.

Instead, it went straight and used one of the concrete U-turn slots along the road, the one near Sto. Domingo Church, before turning right on Araneta Avenue and proceeding toward the Sta. Mesa-Malacañang area.

Mr. Aquino has directed his driver to stop at every traffic light, from the time he leaves his residence on Times Street in Quezon City up to Malacañang in Manila.

The President reminded government officials to take the cue from his inaugural speech.

His 20-minute inaugural speech last Wednesday virtually turned into a rallying cry against indiscriminate use of sirens that has become a bane in the streets.

“Walang wang wang, walang counter-flow, walang tong. Panahon na upang tayo ay muling magkawanggawa (No more sirens, no more counter-flow, no more extortion. It is time for us to work positively),” Mr. Aquino said in his speech.

The President directed all government officials to follow his lead and do away with the use of sirens and blinkers, which he said, only gives the public the impression that those with power only use it abusively.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has immediately ordered policemen to “disarm” their “wang wangs.”

PNP chief Director General Jesus Verzosa warned erring police personnel would face stiff sanctions for using sirens.

“Effective June 30, the use of sirens and other similar devices that emit exceedingly loud or startling sounds in motor vehicles by all PNP units and personnel is also prohibited,” Verzosa said in the directive.

“In all cases, the practice of counter-flow to beat traffic congestion in all roads and highways is also prohibited. All police personnel found violating the directive shall be administratively sanctioned,” he said.

PNP-Highway Patrol Group director Chief Superintendent Orlando Mabutas said motorcycle cops, known locally as “hagads,” were also included in the directive.

Metro Manila police director Chief Superintendent Roberto Rosales, for his part, personally ordered his two motorcycle escorts to “disarm” their sirens.

Rosales also issued a directive to all police chiefs in Metro Manila to do away with the use of sirens, unless for emergencies and legitimate police operations.

The Philippine Coast Guard also issued the directive on personnel against the use of sirens.

Hesitant

Land Transportation Office (LTO) chief Alberto Suansing said the presidential directive is a welcome development for the implementation of the decades-old law that regulates the use of sirens.

Suansing said traffic enforcers were apprehensive before in accosting high-profile motorists in the indiscriminate use of sirens and blinkers.

With President Aquino waiving his privilege to use sirens, there is no reason why other officials should use the device.

Suansing said that under Presidential Decree 96, only six types of vehicles can use sirens and blinkers: the official vehicles of the military, including that of the President as commander-in-chief; the official vehicles of the National Bureau of Investigation; those of the LTO; firetrucks; police cars and ambulances.

“If we’re going to talk about the law, only the vehicle of the President (among elected officials and other VIPs) is allowed to use the siren,” Suansing stressed.

But in reality, according to Suansing, traffic enforcers are hesitant to implement the law against some others who are not even entitled to the use of sirens.

Suansing said he personally “got into trouble” with politicians in implementing the law on the unauthorized use of sirens.

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) general manager Robert Nacianceno said traffic enforcers have started confiscating a number of illegally installed sirens and blinkers.

Nacianceno said the MMDA has coordinated efforts with the LTO in apprehending motorists using sirens and blinkers on the road.

Vice President Jejomar Binay, for his part, said the law on the unauthorized use of sirens and blinkers should be strictly complied with.

Binay said a strict regulation would ensure compliance with the snowballing campaign against sirens.

“There is no reason why private individuals should have sirens. That is one cause of abuse. Unless they are used for private ambulances and volunteer firefighters, private persons should not be allowed to own or use sirens,” Binay said.

Parañaque Rep. Roilo Golez said the ban on the use of sirens was a bold move on the part of Mr. Aquino.

“It addresses something that is measurable, visible and audible. The public should cooperate by reporting those ignoring President Noy’s admonition,” Golez said.

He said people, particularly motorists, could relate to the President’s directive “because they see such arrogance and abuse of power every day, and it affects them.”

“Some of those displaying such arrogance might even be grafters or criminals who are bullying everyone,” Golez remarked.

Apparently, not everyone concerned heard the President’s admonition against the use of sirens.

Yesterday, employees of the National Housing Authority complained to The STAR that they again saw a white Ford Expedition coming from Mahinhin street at the back of the NHA compound in Diliman, Quezon City blaring with sirens, together with its two motorcycle policemen-escorts.

“This guy obviously thinks he is more powerful than President Noynoy. He hasn’t heard of his ban on wang-wang, or if he did, he chose to ignore it,” one employee said.

He said they heard the unidentified passenger bullying his way out of his residence not far from Claret School in UP Village every day between 8:30 and 9 in the morning. -With Jess Diaz, Cecille Suerte Felipe, Non Alquitran, Jose Rodel Clapano, Mike Frialde, Reinir Padua, Evelyn Macairan