AAP OFFERS TO REPORT UNAUTHORIZED "WANG WANG" USERS

Responding to President Benigno S. Aquino III’s inaugural address pledge of “No more wang-wang,” the Automobile Association Philippines (AAP) offered to report to the Land Transportation Office (LTO) the license plate numbers, make and model of motor vehicles equipped with but not authorized to have sirens, bells and whistles.

AAP president Augusto C. Lagman hailed the newly installed President’s promise to do away with the sirens, dome lights, blinkers and other gadgets, commonly called “wang wang,” that some motorists use to bully their way through traffic. He encouraged AAP members, the general motoring public and commuters to note down the license plate numbers and other identifying details of unauthorized wang wang users and inform AAP by calling 414-2288 or 0917-504-2288. AAP, in turn, will report these to the LTO and Highway Patrol Group.

AAP Vice President Johnny Angeles, who chairs the Road Safety Committee, said that the rampant unauthorized use of wang wang impedes traffic flow and endangers road users by creating confusion and chaos on the road. As the national auto club, AAP represents and protects the interests of motorists, particularly as regards road safety.

Presidential Decree No. 96 issued in 1973 declares as unlawful “the use or attachment of sirens, bells, horns, whistles or similar gadgets that emit exceptionally loud or startling sounds, including dome lights and other signaling or flashing devices on motor vehicles” that impede and confuse traffic. These devices will be immediately confiscated from those violating PD 96.

Exempted from PD 96 are motor vehicles designated for official use by the Armed Forces of the Philippines, National Bureau of Investigation, LTO, police departments, fire departments and hospital ambulances.

The official motor vehicles of the President of the Philippines, the Vice President, Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court are also exempted from PD 96.