City Council approves anti-muffler ordinance

By Joseph B.A. Marzan

The Sangguniang Panglunsgod of Iloilo City on Wednesday approved a proposed ordinance that would make it tougher on car owners who have installed or plan to install modified mufflers which may cause disturbing noises while traversing roadways.

Amendments to Regulation Ordinance No. 2017-071, which prohibits the sale, installation, and use of modified mufflers in the city, include the following:

–          Lowering the maximum sound level allowed for motorcycle mufflers to 99 decibels, down from 115 decibels, at an engine speed of 2,000 to 2,500 revolutions per minute;

–          Removing or confiscating the prohibited modified muffler or exhaust pipe for the first, second, and third offenses; and

–          Including the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) in the implementation of the ordinance, in addition to the personnel from the Public Safety and Transportation Management Office (PSTMO).

These amendments were introduced in line with the Land Transportation Office’s (LTO) Memorandum Circular No. 2020-2240 on Private Motor Vehicle Inspection Standards.

The amendments also provide reference to the PSTMO to replace its predecessor, the Transportation Management and Traffic Regulation Office (TMTRO).

Existing penalties for violators include fines, specifically ₱1,000 for the 1^st offense, ₱3,000 for the 2^nd offense, and ₱5,000 for the 3^rd offense, along with the confiscation of driver’s license for all instances.

The original ordinance had been amended in 2017 via Regulation Ordinance No. 2017-087, to include an additional ₱1,000 fine to the 1^st and 2^nd offenses “to those who stopped but deliberately and arrogantly refused to cooperate” with traffic cops.

The committee report penned by Councilor Sedfrey Cabaluna, chairperson of the city council’s Committee on Police, Fire, Penology, Public Safety, Order and Security, Dangerous Drugs and Rehabilitation, cited an Indorsement by Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas.

The mayor’s indorsement stated that he had received complaints over the use of mufflers which had been causing noise disturbances, thus prompting a review of the existing ordinance.

The amended ordinance now heads to Mayor Treñas’ desk where he is expected to approve it.