Rama to review anti-muffler law

CEBU, Philippines - Mayor Michael Rama yesterday assured a thorough review of the “Anti-Muffler Modification Ordinance of 2013” passed recently by the City Council following concerns raised by the Motorcycle Rights Organization.

The group told Rama it wants a “proper, clear, and fair implementation” of the measure.

 “We do not condone nor do we contradict the intention of this ordinance, but we must ensure the equality amongst all road users is not taken for granted,” reads a letter from Marjun Tacder, Acting Cebu Coordinator of MRO, to the mayor.

 The group said it would appreciate it if it will be part of or at least consulted when the council drafts the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR).

 “We would also like to be provided with a copy of the Implementing Rules and Regulations even if it is not yet official or even if a draft copy only. We are open for any dialogue or forum if needed because this ordinance affects us, the riders, and we think it’s only just that our positions are considered as well in good faith,” the letter reads further.

 The group had stated that “they have understood that each law enforcer should be equipped with an instrument to test the loudness of a vehicle’s muffler due to the specified quantity of 84 db in the ordinance.”

They group hopes that the instruments should be calibrated, signed and sealed to prevent them from being recalibrated and, thereby, used for corruption.

 “The location where a vehicle should be tested is also very important to be considered because busy roads can be noisy roads and can be potentially greatly affect the sound of the vehicle being tested. The testing location should be controlled and relatively quiet one,” the group said.

“We hope the law should be applied to all vehicles that pass through the city as specified in the ordinance itself and not just target motorcycles, especially small bikes like underbones and scooters,” it added.

 Section 3 of the ordinance states that it shall be unlawful for “any person to use or operate any motor vehicle that emits noise higher than 84 dB(A) even if not modified, measured at a distance of 10 meters from the center of the lane of travel.”

This ordinance revoked the Ordinance 465 enacted in 1964 requiring the use of silencer or muffler for all motor vehicles with exhaust pipes emanating loud and deafening blasts, which only fined violators P20.

 Under the new ordinance, first-time violators will be fined P500 and P1,000; P3,000 and P5,000 for subsequent offenses. (FREEMAN)