Baguio Mayor Benjamin Magalong has ordered a crackdown on motorcycles with loud mufflers in the city.
Magalong designated the Baguio City Police Office under Col. Francisco Bulwayan, Jr. as lead implementer of the campaign to intensify apprehensions of motorcycles with noisy exhausts along with the Land Transportation Office and the Public Order and Safety Division.
The team is to submit a daily accomplishment report starting Oct. 10 of the apprehensions done on owners or motorcycles with open pipes and letting out loud noises.
The mayor said he has been receiving complaints of “ear-piercing mufflers” causing disturbance to communities at any hour of the day.
One complainant said the ear piercing mufflers have been causing disturbance to their barangay.
“Bulahaw na po sila around 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. sa Lower Brookside parang may karerang nangyayari and even at daytime grabe ang ingay ng mga motorcycles with open pipe,” the complainant said.
Based on Land Transportation Office Memorandum Circular (MC) 2020-2240, motorcycles sporting exhaust pipes that emit a sound exceeding 99 decibels at an engine speed of 2,000 to 2,500 revolutions per minute are subject to apprehension.
Sound levels that go beyond 90 decibels are already considered in medicine as “very loud” and are equivalent to pumped up earphones at maximum volume.
According to the LTO MC, a motorcycle with exhaust pipe that exceeds 99 decibels can still be issued Motor Vehicle System Inspection Report to serve as a guide for the corrections or repairs to be done.
After corrections, the motorcycle should be subject for re-inspection. If the motorcycle still fails the test, it will be impounded for mandatory replacement of exhaust pipes.
Owners of motorcycle with pipes exceeding the standard set by the LTO are imposed a fine of P5,000 for violating LTO regulation on unauthorized or improper use of accessories, devices, equipment, and parts.
