PERSONNEL of the Land Transportation Office-Central Visayas (LTO-7) flag down motorists whose motorcycles were equipped with modified mufflers. (LTO-7)
CEBU CITY – The Land Transportation Office-Central Visayas (LTO-7) has intensified its crackdown against loud modified mufflers.
The intensified crackdown started in Cebu City last Monday, Feb. 23, where 21 motorcycles with unauthorized mufflers attached were impounded. The second operation was conducted in Mandaue City on Tuesday, Feb. 24.
As of 12 noon on Tuesday, the operation in Mandaue jointly conducted by personnel of LTO-7, Traffic Enforcement Unit of the Mandaue City Police Office, and Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaue led to the impounding of 28 motorcycles.
The crackdown was implemented after Assistant Secretary Markus Lacanilao issued a memorandum directing LTO regional directors to strictly enforce the prohibition of muffler modification of motor vehicles.
“It has come to the attention of the undersigned that there are numerous complaints on motor vehicles/motorcycles plying the public roads that emit loud sound and disagreeable noise,” Lacanilao said.
Lacanilao cited Section 34 of Republic Act No. 4136 that prohibits the cutting or disconnecting the mufflers of motor vehicles and a department order that prohibits the modification of mufflers.
LTO offices were warned that failure to comply with the directive of apprehending violators will be “dealt with appropriate administrative charges and penalties.”