The city government of Muntinlupa issued a stern warning that the use of firecrackers or any pyrotechnic devices, and open mufflers or pipes that emit loud noise is prohibited this Christmas season.
It said the use and sale of firecrackers or any kind of pyrotechnic device is strictly prohibited in the City of Muntinlupa, in accordance with City Ordinance No. 14-092 as it can cause accidents.
Ordinance No. 14–092, passed by the Muntinlupa City Council in 2014, prohibits "the manufacture, display, sale, distribution, possession or use of firecrackers or pyrotechnic devices and such other similar devices and the exploding of firecrackers or other similar explosives within the territorial jurisdiction of Muntinlupa City."
Violators face fines and imprisonment. For the first offense, the penalties are a fine of P1,000 or imprisonment of not more than one month but not less than two days, or both depending on the discretion of the court.
Second offense, violators will be fined P3,000 or imprisonment of not more than six months but not less than three months, or both, at the discretion of the court.
For the third offense, violators can face a fine of P5,000 or imprisonment of not more than six months but not less than three months, or both.
According to Section 5 of the ordinance,"lf the violation is committed by a business establishment, the President or General Manager or the Person acting in behalf of either the President or General Manager shall be held liable in the case of a corporation or partnership, or the owner or proprietor or the person acting in his behalf shall be held responsible in the case of a single proprietorship."
Also, the use of open mufflers or pipes, sound boosters or any modifications in motorcycles or other vehicles that emit noise is banned based on Ordinance 04-022 or the Muntinlupa City Traffic Code.
Section 9 of the traffic code prohibits the use of gadgets on vehicles that "emit exceptionally loud or startling sounds."
"No private person shall use or cause to be used sirens, bells, horns. whistles or similar gadgets that emit exceptionally loud or startling sounds, including dome lights and emergency red flashing lights installed in either front or rear, and emergency red light blinkers and other similar signaling or flashing devices that actually impede and confuse traffic and which are inconsistent with sound traffic discipline and control on the roads," according to the section of the ordinance.
Section 85 of the ordinance also states that "no person shall operate a motor vehicle on a street unless such motor vehicle is equipped, at all times, with a muffler or mufflers in constant operation and of sufficient capacity for the motor, and equipped with an exhaust system to prevent the escape of excessive fumes or smoke and unusual noise."
Violators can face fines from P2,500 to P7,500.