BY GEROME DALIPE IV
ILOILO City – To underscore the city government’s seriousness in curbing noise pollution, Mayor Jerry Treñas has announced that confiscated modified mufflers will be publicly destroyed.
This dramatic action is part of a broader campaign to address the nuisance and safety hazards posed by illegally modified vehicle exhaust systems.
Treñas, expressing frustration over the persistent problem, declared, “Enough is enough!”
The public crushing event, utilizing a road roller-compactor, is set to be a demonstration of the consequences awaiting those who flout noise regulations.
Jeck Conlu, head of Public Safety and Transportation Management Office (PSTMO), confirmed this measure. The spectacle aims not only to eliminate the offending equipment but also to serve as a deterrent to potential violators.
Treñas has been vocal about the disruptions caused by modified mufflers, emphasizing the lengthy suffering of residents from excessive noise levels. In response, he has ordered law enforcement agencies to intensify operations, including checkpoints on major city thoroughfares to apprehend and penalize offenders.
The campaign is backed by an ordinance stipulating fines for violations and mandating the removal of the illegal mufflers.
This crackdown is in alignment with national standards set by the Land Transportation Office (LTO), which caps motorcycle noise at 99 decibels. Modified mufflers, however, can emit sounds as loud as 120 decibels, significantly surpassing this limit and contributing to noise pollution.
The Anti-Modified Mufflers Ordinance reinforces these regulations, aiming to mitigate the auditory assault on the city’s streets.
The initiative is part of a wider effort by Mayor Treñas to enhance public order and safety, which includes addressing issues like illegal parking. It follows legislative efforts at the national level, such as Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian’s Muffler Act of 2016, proposing stricter noise limits for vehicles./PN
