The Manila City Council (MCC) has passed a new ordinance to strengthen the regulation of noise from modified mufflers and exhaust systems, following a directive from Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso and a legal challenge to earlier enforcement.

The measure — “Motor Vehicle Modified Muffler Noise Regulation Ordinance of the City of Manila and Amending Certain Regulations” — was authored by First District Councilor Rosalino Ibay Jr. and enacted in consonant with the Land Transportation Office’s (LTO) muffler law and Republic Act 386.

It covers all public and private motor vehicles in the city with modified mufflers or exhaust pipes, including those already existing, with the sole exemption being for motorcycles of 400cc and above.

The new rule will be implemented by the Philippine National Police-Manila Police District Traffic Bureau and the Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau, which will also maintain records to track repeat offenders.

It also sets escalating penalties for violations — a first offense will be fined P1,000 along with the removal and confiscation of the illegal muffler; a second offense will result in a P3,000 fine and confiscation; and a third offense will incur a P5,000 fine and confiscation.

The confiscated illegal mufflers will be kept as evidence and eventually destroyed.

The ordinance was prompted after Mayor Domagoso, acting on numerous complaints from residents, directed the MPD to enforce the confiscation of “noisy exhaust pipes” during his first few days in office.