2014 Bacoor ordinance brought back to life
“Loud pipes/open muffler” on motorcycles has always been a controversial topic, especially in the motorcycle community. Just recently, a video was shared in social media about traffic enforcers in the City of Bacoor, Cavite, who have begun apprehending motorcycle riders for “loud pipe violation.”
In the video that has since went viral on social media, Bacoor traffic enforcers said that they were just enforcing a city ordinance that prohibits loud pipes/open muffler. Also, during the apprehension, the traffic enforcers showed a screenshot from a mobile phone telling the motorcycle rider that the city is allowed to confiscate a traffic violator’s driver’s license in accordance with Bacoor City Ordinance 11-2019 (view here).
The video uploader, based on his caption, claims that while the traffic enforcers used a proper noise measuring device, they were unable to follow the appropriate distance required in measuring the noise level of the muffler.
2014 ordinance
The City of Bacoor has an “Anti-Motor Vehicle Noise Pollution Ordinance of 2014” or CO 5-2014 (view here). This city ordinance prescribes the maximum allowable noise level that a motor vehicle, including motorcycles, can emit at a certain time of day, as well as in certain areas.
For example, an area that is classified as Class B under this ordinance is a residential area and limits the noise level of a motor vehicle to just 70 decibles (db) from 10:01 PM to 8 AM the next day, while 89 db is allowed from 8:01 AM to 6 PM, and 80 db from 6:01 PM to 10 PM.
The penalties range from PHP 2,500 for the first offense, and go up to PHP 5,000 or “imprisonment of not more than 10 days or both upon the discretion of the proper court of law.”
