Mandaue seeks to ban bora-bora

CEBU, Philippines — The Mandaue City Council approved on first reading the “Anti Bora-Bora Ordinance of 2020” seeking to punish any person who drives a motor vehicle with open pipe or those without a muffler, a defective or modified muffler, sound booster or any device that will increase the noise of vehicle or emit a sound of more than 115 decibels.

Under the draft ordinance, violators shall be liable for a fine of P1,000 and their open pipe, modified muffler or sound booster confiscated.

“Should the owner refuse for the removal of the open pipe, modified muffler or sound booster from his motor vehicle during apprehension, the TEAM shall tow and impound such motor vehicle. In such case, the towing fee and storage fee, if applicable, shall apply,” the proposed measure sponsored by City Councilor Jimmy Lumapas states.

The measure also states that the protection of the health and well-being of the members of the community should be the primordial concern of our society, hence, it is imperative that rules are laid down and observed to protect them from the dangers of prolonged exposure to noise pollution by unregulated use of motor vehicles.

“Acts that endanger the environment from further degradation and those that are discordant with a balanced and healthful development should be controlled and abated. Operators and owners of motor vehicles should be made responsible for ensuring that noise from their vehicles is kept within reasonable levels,” it adds.

Modified muffler refers to a devise attached to a motor vehicle on which a sound booster and other sound-emitting device is installed in order to increase noise and for other purposes.

The proposed measure states that no motor vehicles shall be allowed to be driven or operated without having been properly equipped, at all times, with either a muffler or any noise dissipative device in constant operation and of sufficient capacity to its motor engine to prevent the escape of excessive and disturbing noise.

Noise control shall include both the exhaust system and engine components of a motor vehicle.

The draft measure also indicates that no motor vehicle, motorcycle, motorbike, scooter, tricycle whether for private or public use shall likewise use open pipe or any modified muffler, sound booster or any device that will increase the noise of said vehicle or emit a sound of more than 115 decibels.

The Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaue (TEAM) and the Mandaue City Police Office –Traffic Management Unit (MCPO-TMU) is task to implement this once approved on final reading to ensure its strict compliance. JMD (FREEMAN)