BACOLOD City – The Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) here is calling for the strict regulation and enforcement of a city ordinance (CO) against excessively loud motorcycle mufflers, following rising public complaints and recent incidents disturbing local communities.
In a resolution authored by Councilor Jason Villarosa, the City Legal Office and the Bacolod Traffic and Transportation Management Department are urged to coordinate with the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) and the Land Transportation Office (LTO) for intensified monitoring and implementation of CO No. 356 or an ordinance regulating noise pollution in this city.
Under the measure, any person is prohibited from using modified or loud mufflers that exceed the allowable noise levels within city limits.
In a phone interview on August 7, Villarosa cited a recent case in Barangay Alangilan where residents complained of motorcyclists allegedly racing during nighttime, causing noise disturbances.
“This isn’t just happening in Alangilan — it’s becoming common across various barangays in Bacolod. Regulation is long overdue,” Villarosa said.
Barangay Alangilan has previously taken proactive steps by enforcing a local curfew for minors and banning loud mufflers.
The city councilor emphasized that similar measures must be expanded citywide to maintain peace and reduce public nuisance.
“No person shall cause or permit the discharge into open air of the exhaust of any steam engine, diesel engine, internal combustion engine, turbine engine or similar device so as to create in excess of 90 dB measured on acceleration at 10 meters distance,” Article 6 of CO 365 stated.
Villarosa said modified and customized mufflers have become widespread in the city, causing unnecessary noises that significantly disturb the peace of the surroundings.
“In line with the goal of CO No. 365, the city is committed to ensure that noise pollution that irritates the environment be effectively eradicated,” the councilor added. (With a report from Watchmen Daily Journal)/PN
