PRESIDENTIAL DECREE No.

96 January 13, 1973

DECLARING UNLAWFUL THE USE OR ATTACHMENT OF SIRENS,

BELLS, HORNS, WHISTLES OR SIMILAR GADGETS THAT EMIT
EXCEPTIONALLY LOUD OR STARTLING SOUNDS, INCLUDING
DOMELIGHTS AND OTHER SIGNALLING OR FLASHING DEVICES
ON MOTOR VEHICLES AND PROVIDING CERTAIN EXCEPTIONS
THEREFOR
WHEREAS, Presidential Proclamation No. 1081 envisioned, among other goals, the
bringing about of a social order characterized by a high state of discipline and order
among the citizenry;

WHEREAS, much of the chaotic conditions from which our people have suffered and
still continue to suffer are the direct result of indiscriminate and unregulated use of
sirens, bells, horns, whistles and similar gadgets that emit exceptionally loud or
startling sounds, including domelights and other similar signalling or flashing devices
attached to motor vehicles and used on the highways;

WHEREAS, it has been observed that such unregulated use of sirens, bells, horns,
whistles or similar gadgets that emit exceptionally loud or startling sounds, including
domelights and similar signalling or flashing devices actually impede and confuse
traffic, are inconsistent with sound traffic discipline and control on the highways, and
in effect constitute a major problem in the maintenance of peace and order;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the Philippines,

pursuant to Proclamation No. 1081, dated September 21, 1972, and in my capacity as
Commander-in-Chief of all the Armed Forces of the Philippines, do hereby order and
decree:

1. That it shall be unlawful for the owner or possessor of any motor vehicle to use or
attach to his vehicle any siren, bell, horn, whistle, or other similar gadgets that
produce exceptionally loud or startling sound, including domelights, blinkers and
other similar signalling or flashing devices.

2. The gadgets or devices mentioned above may be attached to and use ONLY on
motor vehicles designated for official use by the Armed Forces of the Philippines,
National Bureau of Investigation, Land Transportation Commission, Police
Departments, Fire Departments, and hospital ambulances.

Any device or gadget installed or mounted on any motor vehicle or otherwise used in
violation of this decree shall be subject to immediate confiscation and, in cases of a
second and subsequent offenses, the offender shall be prosecuted for violation of this
Decree before the military tribunal and, upon conviction thereof, shall suffer the
penalty of imprisonment for six months and/or a fine of 600 pesos. In addition, the
certificate of registration of the motor vehicle on which the unauthorized gadget or
device herein mentioned is installed, mounted or used shall be cancelled or revoked.

The Commissioner of Land Transportation shall draw and promulgate such rules and
regulations necessary to give effect to this Decree.

Done in the City of Manila, this 13th day of January, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen
hundred and seventy-three.

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 122

DIRECTING ALL GOVERNMENT OFFICES TO STRICTLY COMPLY

WITH PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 96 DECLARING UNLAWFUL
THE INDISCRIMINATE USE OF SIRENS, BLINKERS OR SIMILAR
DEVICES

WHEREAS, the indiscriminate use of sirens, blinkers or similar devices obstructs the
efficient flow of traffic along the country's major thoroughfares;

WHEREAS, the improper use of these devices poses as a safety and traffic hazard to
both motorists and pedestrians; TCaEAD

WHEREAS, it is necessary to remind concerned government offices and agencies of the

proper use of these devices;

WHEREAS, on January 13, 1973, Presidential Decree No. 96 was issued declaring it
unlawful for any owner or possessor of any motor vehicle to use or attach to his
vehicle any siren, bell, horn, whistle or similar gadgets that produce exceptionally loud
or starting sounds, including domelights, blinkers and other similar signaling or
flashing devices;

WHEREAS, under Presidential Decree No. 96, such gadgets or devices may be
attached to and used only on motor vehicles designated for official use by the Armed
Forces of the Philippines, National Bureau of Investigation, Land Transportation
Office, Police Departments, Fire Departments and hospital ambulances;

WHEREAS, in order to serve as an example and encourage the general public to

comply with the provisions of Presidential Decree No. 96, government officials and
employees not falling within the exceptions provided for therein should take the lead
in strictly observing the prohibitions on the use of sirens, blinkers or similar and
devices as provided for in Presidential Decree No. 96;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, President of the Republic

of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order all
government offices and agencies to strictly adhere to the provisions of Presidential
Decree No. 96 dated January 13, 1973.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 30th day of June, in the year of Our Lord, Two
Thousand and Five.

(Prohibition Against Use of Sirens and Blinkers by Government Vehicles,

Administrative Order No. 122, [June 30, 2005])

Land Transportation and Traffic Code, Republic Act No. 4136,

[June 20, 1964]
(b-1) Horns. — Every motor vehicle shall be provided with a horn or signalling devise
in good working order: Provided, however, That no horn or signalling device emitting
an exceptionally loud, startling, or disagreeable sound shall be installed or used on any
motor vehicle.
All authorized emergency vehicles, such as ambulance and police cars and
fire wagons used for emergency calls shall be equipped with a bell, siren, or
exhaust whistle of a type approved by the Commissioner, and no such device
shall be installed or used in any other vehicle.
No vehicle not classified as a motor vehicle under this Act shall be equipped
with a horn or signalling device similar to the horn customarily used on motor
vehicles.

JOINT ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 2014-01 (DEPARTMENT OF

TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUNICATIONS)
d. MOTOR VEHICLE OPERATING WITHOUT OR WITH
DEFECTIVE/IMPROPER/UNAUTHORIZED ACCESSORIES, DEVICES,
EQUIPMENT AND PARTS

This includes bells/horns/sirens/whistles, blinkers, brakes, early warning device

(EWD), grill/s, jalousies, brake (foot and hand brakes), brake
lights/headlights/interior light/signal lights/tail lights, mirrors, mufflers, metallic
tires/spare tire, speedometer, windshield, wipers or any other accessory, device
equipment or part that is manifestly prejudicial to road safety.
ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 339
PRESCRIBING GUIDELINES AND SPECIFICATIONS OF MOTOR
VEHICLES FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

WHEREAS, the acquisition of motor vehicles by the LGUs is necessary to enable local
government personnel to more efficiently and effectively perform their assigned
functions and responsibilities;

WHEREAS, it is necessary to prescribe certain guidelines and specifications to ensure

that the motor vehicles which the LGUs have to purchase are appropriate to the
intended uses and users;

WHEREAS, as in the case of national government agencies, the optimum use of

resources in the purchase of motor vehicles will enhance the efforts of the LGUs to
more expeditiously pursue their development objectives; aisadc

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FIDEL V. RAMOS, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the

powers vested in me by law, do hereby order:

SECTION 1. Governors, City and Municipal Mayors and Punong Barangays are hereby
authorized to purchase transport and heavy equipment for their respective provinces,
cities, municipalities and barangays out of unencumbered local funds covered by an
appropriations ordinance specifically authorizing/earmarking the appropriations for
the purpose, subject to the following specifications:

a. Service Vehicles of Local Government Officials

1. For the Use of Provincial Governors and City Mayors — Any four-wheel vehicle
with not less than four doors and an engine with a displacement not exceeding 2000 cc
for gasoline or 2800 cc for diesel. Allowable options are car airconditioning, AM/FM
stereo cassette/CD player and magwheels.

2. For the Use of Vice Governors, Municipal Mayors, City Vice Mayors and Municipal
Vice Mayors — Any four-wheel vehicle with not less than four doors and an engine
with a displacement not exceeding 1500 cc for gasoline or 2200 cc for diesel. Allowable
options are car airconditioning, AM/FM stereo cassette player and magwheels.

b. Service/Utility Vehicles

1. For General Urban Use — Any four-wheel utility type vehicle, high side pick-up
with roof, with locally manufactured chassis and body, and an engine with a
displacement not exceeding 1800 cc for gasoline or 2500 cc for diesel. Allowable
options are AM/FM cassette player and car airconditioning.
2. For Semi-Rugged Road Conditions in Rural Areas — Any four-wheel "assembled"
vehicle with locally manufactured/fabricated owner-type jeep chassis and body fitted
with reconditioned/surplus engine with a displacement not exceeding 1800 cc for
gasoline or 2500 cc for diesel.

Any four-wheel "assembled" vehicle with a locally manufactured/fabricated passenger

jeepney type chassis and body, fitted with reconditioned/surplus engine with a
displacement not exceeding 2000 cc for gasoline or 3500 cc for diesel and a sitting
capacity not exceeding twenty- one (21) persons including the driver.

3. For Remote Areas with Generally Rugged Road Condition and Mountainous Terrain
— Any four-wheel pick-up type vehicle with imported chassis and body, and an
engine with a displacement not exceeding 2200 cc for gasoline or 3000 cc for diesel.
Allowable options are AM/FM stereo cassette player, car airconditioning, four-wheel
drive and magwheels.

4. For Travel to Remote Areas Not Normally Accessible by Ordinary Transport

Vehicles — Any two-wheel vehicle with a two or four-stroke cycle engine with a
displacement not exceeding 125 cc. Allowable options are windscreen, saddlebag and
sidecar.

c. For Transport of Sick and/or Injured Persons

1. Any four-wheel utility type vehicle with locally manufactured chassis and body
and an engine with a displacement not exceeding 1800 cc for gasoline or 2500 cc for
diesel. Allowable options are rotating/flashing lights, siren, two-way radio,
airconditioning and AM/FM stereo cassette player.

2. Any four-wheel van or wagon type vehicle with either imported or locally
manufactured chassis and body and an engine with a displacement not exceeding 2000
cc for gasoline or 2700 cc for diesel. Allowable options are same as c.1 above.

The motor vehicles indicated in c.1 and c.2 may be converted into an ambulance fitted
with necessary medical equipment and apparatus.

3. Original Ambulance — Specifications and special features vary according to

manufacturers.

d. For Water Transport

1. A locally fabricated boat/banca with a wooden hull having a passenger carrying

capacity not exceeding fifteen (15) persons, with RH and LH rigs, with or without roof
and an inboard engine not exceeding thirty (30) horsepower.

e. For City and Municipal Patrol Operations

1. Patrol Car — Any four-wheel vehicle with not less than four doors and an engine
with a displacement not exceeding 1600 cc for gasoline or 2400 cc for diesel.
Allowable options are rotating/flashing lights, siren, two-way radio and
airconditioning.

2. Patrol Vehicle — Any four-wheel vehicle with locally manufactured/fabricated

chassis and body and an engine with a displacement not exceeding 1800 cc for gasoline
or 2500 cc for diesel. Allowable options are same as e.1 above.

3. Patrol Motorcycle — Any two-wheel vehicle with a two or four-stroke cycle

engine with a displacement not exceeding 125 cc. Allowable options are
rotating/flashing lights, siren, windscreen, saddlebag, sidecar and two-way radio.

f. For Highway Patrol Operations

1. Patrol Car — Any four-wheel vehicle with not less than four doors and an engine
with a displacement not exceeding 1800 cc for gasoline or 2600 cc for diesel. Allowable
options are same as in e.1.

2. Patrol Motorcycle — Any two-wheel vehicle with a two or four-stroke cycle engine
with a displacement not exceeding 450 cc. Allowable options are same as in e.3.

g. For Waste Management, Construction and Maintenance of Roads and Bridges —

Dump trucks, graders, payloaders, road rollers, cement mixers and other related
equipment. Specifications/features vary according to manufacturer, size, capacity,
intended use etc.

SECTION 2. The present inventory of motor vehicles shall at all times be taken into
consideration in determining the need to acquire additional motor vehicles as well as
the appropriateness of the number, type and specifications of the motor vehicles to the
intended use/user.

SECTION 3. All purchases shall be subject to strict budgeting, accounting and auditing
rules and regulations.

SECTION 4. This Administrative Order shall take effect immediately.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 6th day of June, in the year of Our Lord, Nineteen
Hundred and Ninety-Seven.

||| (Guidelines and Specifications of Motor Vehicles for Local Government Units,
Administrative Order No. 339, [June 6, 1997])