LTO OIC Vera Cruz to motorists: Stop using wang-wang or face the consequences
BARELY warming his seat after being appointed Officer-in-Charge of the Land Transportation Office (LTO), the Agency’s concurrent Executive Director Atty. Romeo G. Vera Cruz ordered the crackdown on users of wang-wang and blinkers amid the reported proliferation of the device on major thoroughfares.
According to Atty. Vera Cruz, the use of wang-wang to get ahead on the road has long been prohibited under Presidential Decree No. 96 signed by Former President Ferdinand E. Marcos on 13 January 1973.
“I have ordered the crackdown on the illegal use of wang-wang of government officials, employees, and private citizens. Sirens and blinkers are meant to signal emergency situations. In a democratic state such as ours, ostentatious displays of privilege and power must be stopped. People should be equal before the law,” he emphasized.
Under the LTO Memorandum on Motor cycle Escorts and Unauthorized Use of Sirens and Blinkers, Markers, etc., dated 23 July 1998, the only government officials allowed to attach and use sirens, blinkers, and other similar devices are the President, Vice President, Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
Further, these gadgets may only be attached to motor vehicles designated for official use by the Armed Forces of the Philippines, National Bureau of Investigation, Police Departments, Fire Departments, hospital ambulances, and the LTO.
“The law is clear. LTO will apprehend those abusing the privilege, even government officials and employees not included in the exceptions,” Atty. Vera Cruz warned.
He advised, “Motorists unauthorized to use wang-wang and other should similar devices should immediately remove these or face the consequences.”
Under the Joint Administrative Order No. 2014-01 dated, the use of Wang-wang or any improper or unauthorized accessories, devices, equipment and parts constitutes a violation, shall be meted a fine of PhP 5,000 and confiscation of the device/gadget in favor of the government.
