BY MA. THERESA LADIAO
ILOILO City — The Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) wants more decibel meters to better enforce local noise regulations.
This push for additional equipment comes as part of the city government’s ongoing efforts to curb noise pollution, especially from modified mufflers.
Decibel meters are devices used to measure the intensity of sound. They are essential tools in assessing compliance with sound-related regulations, helping authorities ensure that noise levels remain within legally acceptable limits.
According to Police Colonel Joeresty Coronica, city police director, the ICPO’s primary use of decibel meters is to enforce the amended city ordinance against noisy mufflers.
Recent ordinance amendments have lowered the permissible sound levels from mufflers to 99 decibels at engine speeds of 2,000 to 2,500 RPM.
A stiffer penalty also awaits violators. Modified muffler or exhaust pipe can be confiscated for the first, second and third offenses.
There’s monetary fine, too – P1,000 (first offense); P2,000 (second offense); and P3,000 (third offense).
Last week, the ICPO trained 44 personnel, who are now adept in the operational aspects of decibel meters and the enforcement of the ordinance.
The city police currently has four decibel meters. Initially, the city provided two units, and recently, an additional two more were allocated.
The currently available decibel meters are strategically deployed. Police stations 1 and 5 were the first recipients of these meters.
The recent allocation saw one additional meter assigned to Police Station 4, shared with Police Station 6, and another to Police Station 3, with shared access between Police Stations 2 and 3./PN
