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 results of
indiscriminate and unregulated use of sirens, bells, horns, whistles and similar
gadgets that emit exceptionally loud or starling sounds, including domelights
and other similar signaling 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 starling sounds, including domelights and similar signaling 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:
That it shall be lawful 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 sounds, including
domelights, blinkers and other similar signaling or flashing devices.
The gadgets or devices mentioned above may be attached to and used only on
motor vehicles designated for officials 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
therefore, 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.
(Sgd.) FERDINAND E. MARCOS
President
Republic of the Philippines
By the President:
(Sgd.) ALEJANDRO MELCHOR
Executive Secretary