• CHERYL G. CRUZ
The Sangguniang Panlungsod has approved on first reading a proposed ordinance regulating the use of modified or noisy motor vehicle mufflers within the highly-urbanized city.
Proponent-councilor Caesar Distrito noted an observable proliferation of motor vehicles, whose owners or operators have removed, detached, or replaced the factory-installed mufflers with altered or modified systems that emit excessive, loud, and unreasonable noise.
“Excessive motor vehicle noise caused by open-pipe, altered, or modified mufflers disturbs public peace and order, disrupts the tranquility of residential areas, schools, hospitals, and places of worship, and poses a threat to the health and safety of Bacolod residents,” he stressed.
He said there is need to strictly regulate activities that generate excessive and unnecessary noise, particularly noise pollution caused by modified motor vehicle exhaust systems, to ensure public comfort, convenience, and health.
The proposed ordinance seeks to ban the operation of motor vehicles equipped with a modified, altered, open-pipe, straight-pipe, or otherwise noisy muffler; removal of internal parts of a muffler, including baffles and silencers;
Operating a motor vehicle that exceeds allowable noise limits measured by a calibrated noise meter; and unnecessary or excessive revving of engines in public, particularly residential areas, hospitals, schools, and places of worship.
Per the proposed ordinance, a violator shall be fined, for first offense, P1,500 and the immediate confiscation of the modified/noisy muffler; second offense, a fine of P2,500 with the motor vehicle not released until a standard muffler is installed; and for third and subsequent offenses, P3,000 and mandatory impoundment until full compliance.
Confiscated mufflers shall be inventoried and stored by the BTTMD, with the unclaimed illegal mufflers, or those surrendered upon payment of fines, to be destroyed or disposed of, after 30 days, in accordance with the Commission on Audit rules and regulations to prevent reuse, Distrito added. | CGC
