Ordinance banning modified mufflers gains support in Lapu

MOTOR parts store owners, car dealers and barangay officials supported the “anti-bora bora” ordinance prohibiting noisy mufflers in last Wednesday’s session at the Lapu-Lapu City Council.

Councilor Jose Dungog, who authored the ordinance, said barangay officials have complained to him about the presence of motorcycle drivers who use modified mufflers that emit loud noises late in
the evening.

“Ingon nila mas kusog man gud kuno ang dagan sa motor kung kusog og tingog ang tambutso (They said the motorcycle runs faster if it has a loud muffler),” said Dungog, also concurrent president of the Association of Barangay Councils.

The ordinance prohibits motorcycle riders from using mufflers that emits noise exceeding more than 80 decibels “measured at a distance of 10 meters from the center of the lane of travel.”

But motorcycle riders in a race are exempted provided they secure permission from the mayor.

Frank Brazil, head of the City Traffic Management System, said they may deputize barangay chairpersons so they can issue citation tickets to violators.

Violators will be fined P1,000 for the first offense, P3,000 and confiscation of driver’s license for the second offense and P5,000 and confiscation of driver’s license in the third offense.

Third time violators will also have their motorcycles impounded or face a jail term of three years.