HOMEOWNERS of a high-end village in Cagayan de Oro City have filed a complaint before the Land Transportation Office (LTO) in Northern Mindanao against a certain Juan Miguel Araneta whose penchant for loud sports cars has become a nuisance to the Morning Mist community.
In a complaint addressed to LTO regional director Oscar Salcedo, Jerome Lagbas, former mayor of Sugbongcogon, Misamis Oriental, wrote that Araneta has been driving above the subdivision’s speed limit and said Araneta’s car muffler may be without proper permits from the LTO.
"This created a loud sonic boom sound that is so irritating and annoying even at a radius of 1 kilometer. By its nature, it is injurious to the health and comfort of the community as well as to the safety of pedestrians. It alters the quality of life and peace of mind," Lagbas wrote.
Lagbas said the noise from Araneta’s car can be heard early morning and even late at night.
Lagbas added that even classes of a nearby school and masses at the St. Francis Xavier Church are also being disrupted by the annoying sound.
"Our rest and sleeping time were greatly affected. Countless times we have been unduly vexed by this irritating and annoying noise coming from this car, we have suffered so much stress already and if this will continue, our health will deteriorate," he said.
Lagbas said the Morning Mist community have asked Araneta "many times."
"All proved unsuccessful as he remained adamant, boastful, and without consideration to the feeling of others," Lagbas added.
About 57 homeowners signed the complaint letter to the LTO.
Salcedo, for his part said, he already received the complaint and has informed Araneta and ordered the latter to undo the modification he made to his car muffler.
Salcedo said they will apprehend Araneta the minute they see him on the street.
"Illegal kanang i-alter nimo ang car muffler para mukusog ang tingog sa imong sakyanan. Definitely, ato siyang dakpon, magbayad siya ug penalty, ipatangtang nato iyang tambutso ug dili siya marehistro ug usab kung dili niya kini pulihan (It's illegal to alter your car muffler to make its sound louder. Definitely, we will arrest him, he will pay for the penalty, have the smoke belcher removed and he can't register his car unless he replaces his muffler)," Salcedo added.