Noisy bike mufflers irk locals

CEBU, Philippines - Residents in Mandaue city are complaining of the loud noise coming from the mufflers of motorcycles during the wee hours.

Residents along P. Burgos Street in Barangay Alang-alang said their sleep has been badly affected by the noise of these motorcycles passing their streets, believing that the drivers are engaged in drag racing.

The same problem was also being aired by residents living near Plaridel Street still in Barangay Alang-alang as they also suspect that these motorcycles are joining a drag racing activity coming from the North Reclamation Area.

Mayor Jonas Cortes said he too received the said complaints.

He told The FREEMAN that he himself has also noticed the presence of these motorists who have installed noisy mufflers in their motorcycles and ply the city streets during late nights.

Cortes said he will be giving attention to the said complaints.

The city is now working on deputizing traffic enforcers to apprehend these motorists.

A provision of the Joint Administrative Order No. 2014-01 of the Land Transportation Office and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board states that the installation of accessories in vehicles which are not permitted by both agencies is a violation which carries a penalty of P5,000.

Mandaue City does not have an existing ordinance regulating load mufflers.

In Cebu City, however, the City Council already passed an ordinance that puts more teeth to a 1964 ordinance that requires the use of a “silencer” for all motor vehicles to avoid “loud and deafening blasts.”  (FREEMAN)