06/06/2026
After silent night, Baguio wants silent roads
By Frank Cimatu
June 4, 2026
BAGUIO CITY β Mayor Benjamin Magalong this week issued a one-week ultimatum to motorcycle riders and vehicle owners whose exhaust systems produce excessive noise: repair or replace them now, or face intensified enforcement operations beginning next week.
The warning comes amid a fresh wave of complaints from residents who say the piercing sounds of modified mufflers are disturbing households, disrupting sleep and undermining the relative tranquility that has long been part of Baguio's appeal as a mountain city.
"After one week, the crackdown will begin," Magalong said, signaling a renewed effort to curb noise pollution that city officials thought had largely been brought under control in recent years.
The mayor's warning extends beyond motorists. Repair shops and businesses that install or modify exhaust systems to create louder sounds could face permit cancellations and closure orders if found violating city regulations.
The return of noisy mufflers has frustrated residents who say the problem had eased after years of enforcement efforts and cooperation between authorities and motorcycle groups.
For many living along major roads, the issue is not merely one of annoyance but of quality of life. Residents have long complained that modified exhaust systems can shatter the quiet of early mornings and late evenings, especially in densely populated communities where sound echoes through the city's steep terrain.
The city government has spent several years developing a more systematic approach to enforcement.
In 2025, the Baguio City Police Office acquired decibel meters for police stations and operational units, allowing officers to objectively measure vehicle noise levels during checkpoints and roadside inspections.
The devices were procured following consultations among city officials, police authorities and motorcycle organizations seeking to address complaints while ensuring fair enforcement.
Police have since recorded multiple apprehensions involving motorists whose vehicles exceeded allowable noise limits.
City officials also enlisted motorcycle clubs and riding organizations to help educate members about compliance with local ordinances, Land Transportation Office regulations and national traffic laws governing vehicle modifications.
Under Republic Act 4136, motorists are prohibited from using modified exhaust systems that generate excessive or disturbing noise. The law covers alterations such as open pipes, straight pipes, cut-outs, bypass systems and aftermarket exhausts designed to amplify sound beyond acceptable levels.
Violators face penalties that include a standard P5,000 fine imposed by the Land Transportation Office.
Authorities broadened the campaign in 2023 after residents began reporting that some four-wheel vehicles were also producing excessive exhaust noise, expanding enforcement beyond motorcycles.
For Magalong, the renewed campaign is part of a broader effort to preserve order and livability in a city that draws tourists and residents alike because of its cooler climate and quieter environment.
The mayor urged motorists to use the one-week grace period to bring their vehicles into compliance voluntarily, saying the goal is not merely to issue citations but to restore peace in communities increasingly affected by noise pollution.
Whether the latest warning succeeds may depend on how willing riders, vehicle owners and repair shops are to heed it before enforcement teams return to the streets with decibel meters in hand.
