THE Land Transportation Office (LTO) and the Highway Patrol Group (HPG) in Negros Occidental have been ordered by the Office of the President to target motorcycles with modified mufflers which create a lot of noise.

Based on the copy of the order signed by LTO Assistant Secretary Edgar Galvante and forwarded to HPG-Negros Occidental, they have been directed to implement stringent enforcement activities against noisy motorcycles.

In addition, Department of Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, has also instructed the LTO and HPG to also apprehend “habal-habal” operators in the province, noting they have contributed to an increase in carbon emissions recently.

In Bacolod City, City Ordinance No. 356 Series of 2004 or an ordinance regulating noise pollution also exists which aims to target motorcycles with noisy mufflers.

The ordinance mandates the City Legal Office, the Bacolod Traffic Authority Office, and the Traffic Management Unit to impound noisy motorcycles.

Owners may reclaim their motorcycles but the noisy mufflers will be removed, seized, and eventually destroyed.