Author: Hon. Nathan A. Sergio.
Date Filed: April 13, 2026
This ordinance officially regulates the use of motor vehicle exhaust systems and prohibits illegally modified, excessively loud mufflers, or open pipes exceeding a 99-decibel (dB) threshold within the local jurisdiction. Prompted by the need to align local enforcement with national Land Transportation Office (LTO) mandates, the measure protects motorists using compliant, branded aftermarket hardware while banning altered stock systems and bypass valves. It mandates that traffic enforcers utilize a strict, objective decibel-meter testing protocol to eliminate subjective auditory citations, and institutes a graduated penalty system ranging from ₱1,000.00 to ₱5,000.00 alongside mandatory re-inspection and temporary vehicle impoundment for successive violations.
Highlights of Proposed Ordinance
- PROHIBITION OF ILLEGAL EXHAUST MODIFICATIONS: Bans the operation of motor vehicles equipped with altered stock mufflers, non-compliant aftermarket mufflers lacking DTI markings, open/straight pipes, or bypass valves that allow exhaust to escape before passing through sound-muffling components.
- ESTABLISHMENT OF MAX SOUND THRESHOLD: Sets a definitive acoustic limit of 99 decibels (dB). Branded aftermarket mufflers that comply with national guidelines and meet this sound threshold are explicitly permitted and exempted from summary apprehension.
- OBJECTIVE TESTING AND MEASUREMENT PROTOCOL: Mandates that traffic enforcers use calibrated decibel meters positioned 0.5 meters from the exhaust tip at a 45-degree angle with the stationary engine at 2,000 to 2,500 rpm, strictly prohibiting citations based on subjective listening alone.
- GRADUATED PENALTIES AND COMPLIANCE REMEDIATION: Imposes a progressive fine structure of ₱1,000.00 for the first offense, ₱3,000.00 for the second offense, and ₱5,000.00 with temporary vehicle impoundment for the third offense, requiring flagged vehicles to pass a formal LTO PMVIC or LGU re-inspection before resuming operation.
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The 1st Draft and 2nd Revised Draft of the Proposed Ordinance are available for viewing and reference through the link below.
View the documents here:
- Revised Version