ILOILO City – Enforcement of Iloilo City’s crackdown on illegally modified mufflers has sharply declined, with authorities recording only four apprehensions so far this year despite persistent complaints about excessively noisy vehicles, raising concerns over the effectiveness of the city’s campaign against noise pollution.
The figure represents a steep drop from the 44 apprehensions recorded between July and December 2025, even as residents continue to complain about motorcycles and other vehicles with excessively loud exhaust systems, particularly at night.
Retired Colonel Uldarico Garbanzos, head of the Public Order and Safety Management Office (POSMO) and Iloilo City Traffic and Transportation Management Office (ICTTMO), acknowledged the continuing problem but pointed out that many violators are believed to be coming from neighboring municipalities in Iloilo province.
Records from 2025 showed that most motorists apprehended for violating the city’s Anti-Modified Muffler Ordinance were residents of Iloilo province, suggesting that the problem extends beyond the city government’s jurisdiction.
Garbanzos said the sale of modified mufflers has largely been curtailed within Iloilo City, but motorists equipped with illegal exhaust systems continue to enter the city from surrounding towns.
“Almost no establishments are selling modified mufflers anymore within Iloilo City,” Garbanzos said.
The situation has prompted city authorities to seek stronger enforcement by neighboring local government units (LGUs), warning that efforts to control noise pollution within Iloilo City could be undermined if surrounding municipalities fail to address the same problem.
Despite the decline in apprehensions, Garbanzos said POSMO and ICTTMO personnel continue to conduct random operations in coordination with the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO).
Enforcement teams are concentrating on areas frequently identified in residents’ complaints, particularly Benigno Aquino Avenue and portions of Mandurriao and Jaro districts.
However, the disparity between the continuing complaints and the relatively small number of apprehensions this year raises questions about whether existing enforcement operations are sufficient to deter violators.
Garbanzos also disclosed that the problem is not confined to motorcycles, as some traditional jeepneys are likewise equipped with excessively noisy exhaust systems, complicating enforcement and confiscation efforts.
STRICTER NOISE LIMIT
The city’s campaign is anchored on Regulation Ordinance Nos. 2017-087 and 2023-071, which prohibit exhaust systems exceeding the prescribed noise limit of 99 decibels, substantially lower than the previous threshold of 150 decibels.
Motorcycles with engine displacements of 400 cubic centimeters and above are exempted under the ordinance.
Violators face escalating penalties, beginning with a P1,000 fine for the first offense.
A second offense carries a P2,000 fine and confiscation of the modified muffler, while a third offense is punishable by a P5,000 fine, confiscation and destruction of the illegal exhaust system.
Businesses found selling prohibited modified mufflers also risk revocation of their business permits.
CALL FOR PROVINCE-WIDE ACTION
Garbanzos urged neighboring municipalities to intensify their own operations against illegally modified mufflers, stressing that enforcement should not stop at Iloilo City’s boundaries.
He said coordinated action among local governments would help prevent motorists from bringing excessively noisy vehicles into the city and disturbing residential communities./PN
