Drive vs vehicles with loud mufflers stopped; no clear guidelines yet

By Aileen P. Refuerzo

BAGUIO CITY -- The city government suspended implementation of intensified campaign against vehicles with loud mufflers for one month pending determination of clear-cut guidelines on process of apprehension and imposition of sanctions on the violators.
    Mayor Benjamin Magalong ordered the crackdown Oct. 10, but said there were inconsistencies in procedures and confusion on legal bases in apprehensions in three days the campaign was launched.
    This was based on complaints received and affirmed during the dialogue with the motorcycle riders’ federation and other affected parties conducted last Oct. 13.
    The mayor said there was need to put on hold the order to give time for the city government and the law enforcers to clearly define the bases and provisions to ensure consistency and fairness in implementation.
    He decided to give apprehended motorists a reprieve by ordering return of the confiscated mufflers and allowing cancellation of citation tickets of those apprehended under questionable circumstances. 
    This will be on a case-to-case basis subject to the review to be conducted by the City Legal Office, the Baguio City Police Office and the Land Transportation Office.
    During the consultation, motorist groups said while the campaign is suspended, they will police their own ranks by seeing to it that each member will comply with muffler regulations and standards to avoid becoming a source of nuisance in the city.
    The group promised to abide by the rules and assured that they have no objection to the campaign as long as the implementation is “fair, consistent and with proper legal basis.”
    From Oct. 10-12, 39 motorists were flagged down for their defective or inappropriate mufflers.
    The crackdown was ordered by the mayor after receiving numerous complaints on these noisy pipes causing disturbance in communities day and night.
    One complainant said the "ear piercing mufflers" have been causing disturbance to their barangay. 
"Bulahaw na po sila around 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. sa Lower Brookside parang may karera nangyayari and even at daytime grabe ingay ng mga motorcycles with open pipe," the complainant said.