ILOILO City – The city council introduced amendments to the anti-muffler ordinance to give it more teeth.
The amendments included lowering the maximum decibel allowed for sound emitted from the muffler of a motorcycle from 115 decibels to 99 decibels at an engine speed of 2,000 to 2,500 revolutions per minute (RPM).
A stiffer penalty also awaits violators. Modified muffler or exhaust pipe can now be confiscated for the first, second and third offenses.
There’s monetary fine, too – P1,000 (first offense); P2,000 (second offense); and P3,000 (third offense).
The amended measure further provides the inclusion of the Iloilo City Police Office together with the Public Safety and Transportation Management Office (PSTMO) as lead offices in the implementation of the ordinance.
Councilor Sedfrey Cabaluna, chairman of the city council’s committee on police, fire, penology, public safety, order and security, said the ordinance was amended to make it responsive to the present situation, especially that many are still using mufflers especially at night time which causes disturbance.
This move to amend the ordinance stemmed from the endorsement of Mayor Jerry Treñas.
The city mayor has received complaints over motorists who use open pipes or modified mufflers, thus, he sought for the review of ordinance prohibiting the sale, installation and use of modified mufflers in all public and private motor vehicles plying within the city which create excessive and irritating sound.
The Anti-Modified Muffler Ordinance was authored by the late councilor Joshua Alim./PN
