Run after noisy bikes

By: Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – The Land Transportation Office (LTO) and the Highway Patrol Group (HPG) in Negros Occidental were ordered to apprehend motorcycles with modified mufflers that create a lot of noise.

A copy of the order signed by LTO Assistant Secretary Edgar Galvante and forwarded to HPG-Negros Occidental directed both offices to implement stringent enforcement activities against noisy motorcycles.

Department of Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade has also instructed the LTO and HPG to apprehend “habal-habal” operators in the province, noting they have contributed to an increase in carbon emissions recently.

Habal-habal is the slang for motorcycles that are used as public utility or passenger vehicles, usually in far-flung or mountainous areas.

In Bacolod City, City Ordinance No. 356 Series of 2004 regulates noise pollution by banning motorcycles with noisy mufflers.

The ordinance mandates the City Legal Office, the Bacolod Traffic Authority Office, and the Traffic Management Unit to impound noisy motorcycles.

Owners may reclaim their motorcycles but the noisy mufflers will be removed and destroyed.