Local authorities in the popular tourist town of Moalboal in southwestern Cebu have launched a decisive crackdown on excessive vehicle noise, resulting in the confiscation and destruction of 65 illegal mufflers.
First Major Enforcement of Noise Ordinance
The three-week operation, which concluded recently, marks the first major enforcement action under Municipal Ordinance 007-2025. This local law, approved in August 2025, grants enforcers the power to apprehend vehicles with modified exhaust systems even without the use of a sound level meter. Any vehicle found with an altered muffler is automatically considered a public nuisance.
The target of the raid was the improvised open-pipe muffler, locally known as "bora-bora." The operation was a coordinated effort led by the Moalboal Police Station, together with personnel from the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and local barangay officials.
Strict Penalties and Key Exemptions
The ordinance carries a strict penalty structure designed to deter violations. For a first offense, violators face a fine of P1,500 or 15 days in jail. A second offense increases the fine to P2,000 with a possible 15-day imprisonment, while a third offense results in a P2,500 fine and a potential 30-day jail term. On top of these fines, an impounding fee of P200 per day is charged until the vehicle is reclaimed.
Confiscated mufflers are mandated for destruction. Vehicles are impounded until the owner pays all fines and installs a compliant, non-modified muffler. Liability extends beyond the driver to include vehicle owners, rental agencies, and even parents or guardians of minors who commit violations.
The law also regulates sellers, prohibiting retailers of vehicle parts from selling open-pipe mufflers and requiring them to inform customers about the ordinance.
There is a notable exemption: vehicles with an engine displacement of 300cc and above are not covered, provided they have proper documentation and their stock mufflers meet acceptable noise-level standards.
A Move for Peace and Public Order
This enforcement drive is part of Moalboal's broader initiative to maintain public order and significantly reduce noise pollution, which is often a complaint among residents and tourists, especially during nighttime. The campaign underscores the local government's commitment to preserving the town's ambiance as a premier destination in Cebu.
The ordinance applies to all motor vehicles, not just motorcycles, that are equipped with mufflers modified to emit excessive and unreasonable noise. Authorities have signaled that this operation is just the beginning of sustained efforts to enforce the community's standards against noise pollution.
