Abbu wants stricter enforcement of laws on loud vehicle mufflers

IN response to the complaint of residents regarding the noise pollution generated by vehicles, Councilor Jose Pepe S. Abbu, Jr, proposed stricter enforcement of laws regarding vehicle mufflers.

In his special report, during the regular session presided over by City Vice Mayor Bebot Rodriguez, Councilor Abbu stressed the importance of addressing the issue, saying many residents especially the elders expressed dismay over the increasing prevalence of loud mufflers especially from motorcycles particularly during late night hours.

“Almost every day, naa ko’y makita nga mga sakyanan especially motorcycles nga kusog kaayo magpadagan. Ang ilang mga tambutso murag ga-paka-paka sa kasaba ug gani naa pa’y uban nga murag pusil nga gapamuto,” he stressed. He noticed this along the highways of Barangays Kauswagan and Gusa where drag racing occurs.

EXISTING LAWS

Councilor Abbu cited Section 51 of RA 3992 or the Revised Motor Vehicle Law which provides that every motor vehicle propelled by an internal combustion engine shall be equipped with a muffler, and whenever said motor vehicle passes through the street of any city, municipality, or thickly populated district or barrio, the muffler shall not be cut out or disconnected.

He also cited Section 81 of the Traffic Code of Cagayan de Oro, which states that no person shall operate a motor vehicle on a street unless such motor vehicle is equipped, at all times, with a muffler or mufflers in constant operation and of sufficient capacity for the motor, and equipped with an exhaust system to prevent the escape of excessive fumes or smoke and unusual noise.

He added that the Land Transportation Office (LTO) under a memorandum circular has set the standard sound level of a muffler, originally at 115 decibels, but recently changed to 99dB.

TAPPING BARANGAYS

While the city continues to address peace and order and traffic through the Cagayan de Oro Police Office (COCPO) and the Roads and Traffic Administration (RTA), Councilor Abbu suggested deputizing the barangay tanods in the enforcement of the existing laws in collaboration with the COCPO, RTA, and LTO.

With this, Vice Mayor Rodriguez referred the special report of Councilor Abbu to the Committee on Public Order and Safety and the Committee on Barangay Affairs respectively chaired by Councilor Romeo V. Calizo and Yan Lam S. Lim for appropriate action. (JBDacer/SP/Photos by JRGalano and About Cagayan de Oro website)