NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
SENATE
S.B. No. 1148
^tnatc
*22 AUG 15 A9 37
Hl:.CE!VT0 3V.
Introduced by SEN. WIN GATCHALIAN
AN ACT
PROHIBITING THE USE OF MOTOR VEHICLES WITHOUT MUFFLERS OR 
THOSE THAT ARE DEFECTIVE OR HAVE BEEN MODIFIED WHICH INCREASE 
THE SOUND EMITTED BY MOTOR VEHICLES, PENALIZING OWNERS AND 
DRIVERS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO NOISE POLLUTION IN THE
ENVIRONMENT
EXPLANATORY NOTE
With the worsening traffic in Metro Manila , the concomitant noise emitted by 
motor vehicles just adds to the ordeal that our citizens has to go through every day. 
The steady increase of our population continues to trigger the environmental hazards 
of pollution, sad to say that the plague of "noise pollution" has never had any definite 
national policy nor regulation for control. Lumped in the general concept of air 
pollution, the dangers of noise pollution have been ignored or underestimated.
A World Health Organization (WHO) report has suggested that noise defined 
as an "unwanted sound" can affect human health and well-being, including annoyance 
reaction, sleep disturbance. Interference with communication, performance effects, 
and effects on social behavior. It further states that exposure to noise levels at or 
above 80 decibels has been medically proven to cause permanent hearing loss. This


exposure to noise has also been associated with changes in blood pressure, other 
cardiovascular changes, problems with the digestive system and general fatigue.
According to a study conducted by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the 
growing noise pollution can be attributed to a large part from the millions of two­
wheeled vehicles thundering through our streets and neighborhoods. The study goes 
to show that the tailpipe noise emitted by tricycles produce noise levels as high as 97 
decibels, way too loud for the national standard of 60 decibels during daytime and 50 
decibels during nightiime in a residential area.
Motor vehicles with modified mufflers are very distracting and can cause 
accidents since they overpower traffic sounds such as automobile horns and traffic 
enforcer whistles. Further, loud muffler noise agitates drivers as It affects hearing, 
vision, reaction time and judgment thereby increasing the risk of danger for everyone 
on the road.
This bill seeks to regulate the use of mufflers, those that are missing, defective 
and their modifications that increases the sound emitted by a motor vehicles, 
contributing to noise pollution, penalizing owners and drivers that contribute to the 
sound that exacerbate noise pollution to our environment.
In view of the foregoing, passage of this bill is earne j^ht.
TCHA


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ] 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ] 
First Regular Session 
]
SENATE
S.B. No. 1148
fe| Senate
of fljc ^?cretai*j
‘22 AUG 15 A9 :37
Ki.:CJ’!’, •‘■■f;. ev.
Introduced by SEN. WIN GATCHALIAN
AN ACT
PROHIBITING THE USE OF MOTOR VEHICLES WITHOUT MUFFLERS OR 
THOSE THAT ARE DEFECTIVE OR HAVE BEEN MODIFIED WHICH INCREASE 
THE SOUND EMITTED BY MOTOR VEHICLES, PENALIZING OWNERS AND 
DRIVERS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO NOISE POLLUTION IN THE
ENVIRONMENT
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
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SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as "Muffler Act of 2022".
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SEC. 2. Definition of Terms:
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a) Decibel refers to a measure of sound level and is equal to ten (10) times the
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logarithm of the square of a measured sound pressure level (SPL) divided by a
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reference sound pressure.
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b) Emission refers to any measurable air contaminant, pollutant, gas stream or
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unwanted sound from a known source which is passed into the atmosphere.
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c) Motorcycle refers to any two-wheeled motor vehicle with at least one headlight,
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taillight and stoplight, and one or more saddle seats. For purposes of this Act,


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the term shall likewise include motorcycles to which are attached cars,
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commonly known as "tricycles".
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d) Motor Vehicle refers to any vehicle propelled by gasoline engine or by any
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means other than human or animal power constructed and operated principally
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for the conveyance of persons or the transportation of goods in a public
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highway or street open for public use.
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e) Mufflerref&cs to a device that reduces the noise from the exhaust of an internal
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combustion engine.
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f) Modified Muffler refers to a devise attached to a motor vehicle on which a sound
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booster and other sound emitting devise is installed in order to increase noise
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and for other purposes.
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g) Noise refers tc any unnecessary, erratic, discordant loud or blaring sound which
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annoy, disturb, distract or offend the senses.
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h) Noise Poiiution refers to the emission of loud, excessive, disturbing, unhealthy
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sound amplification devices or equipment and/or other sources of sound such
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as, but not limited to commercial, industrial and construction activities, vehicle
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exhaust, mufflers, animal noise, and noise produced by human beings such as
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loud conversation and laughter and found to exceed the normal allowable
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decibel ratio.
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i) Nuisance refers to anything that Injures health, endangers life, offends the
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senses or produces discomfort to the community.
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j) Unnecessary Noise refers to any unusually loud sound that annoys, disturbs,
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or endangers the health, peace, safety and comfort of a person or causes injury
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or harm to human beings and animals alike.
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SEC. 3. Declaration of Policy. — The protection of the health and well-being of
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the members of the community should be the primordial concern of our society, hence,
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it is imperative that rules are laid down and observed to protect them from the dangers
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of prolonged exposure to noise pollution by unregulated use of motor vehicles which
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by reason of lack of maintenance, deliberate tampering or inappropriate use, has


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missing, defective, or modified mufflers emitting loud and unnecessary noise 
disturbing the peace and harmony of nature.
Acts that endanger the environment from further degradation and those that 
are discordant with a balanced and healthful development should be controlled and 
abated. Operators and owners of motor vehicles should be made responsible for 
ensuring that noise from their vehicles is kept within reasonable levels.
SEC. 4. Mufflers and Noise Controlling Devices. — No motor vehicles shall be 
allowed to be driven or operated without having been properly equipped, at all times, 
with either a muffler or any noise dissipative device in constant operation and of 
sufficient capacity to its motor engine to prevent the escape of excessive and 
disturbing noise.
Noise control should include both the exhaust system and engine components 
of a motor vehicle.
SEC. 5. Modified and Defective Muffler. - No motor vehicle, motorcycle, 
motorbike, scooter, tricycle whether for private or public use shall likewise use any 
modified muffler, sound booster or any device that will increase the noise of said 
vehicle or emit a sound of more than seventy (70) decibels.
Any owner or operator of a motor vehicle who has caused or permitted a vehicle 
to be used when its muffler or noise control equipment is defective or not securely In 
place shall likewise be liable under this Act.
SEC. 6. Reasonable Levei/Decibei/Standard. - Exhaust noise should not exceed 
the maximum prescribed level of seventy (70) decibels.
SEC. 7. Exception. - Motor vehicles not utilized for transport of goods and 
people but are merely used for sports competition, motor shows and similar endeavors 
are hereby exemptec from this Act.


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SEC. 8. Noise Pollution Emission Testing. - The Land Transportation Office 
(LTO) shall conduct noise pollution testing upon and during yearly registration of all 
motor vehicles in the country. It shall equip its registration centers with testing meters 
to measure the vehicle's noise standard of a maximum of seventy (70) decibels.
Registration shall be held in abeyance pending compliance with the standard 
decibel requirement.
SEC. 9. Penalties, - Anv person who drives a motor vehicle without a muffler, 
a defective or modified muffler, sound booster or any device that will increase the 
noise of said vehicle or emit a sound of more than seventy (70) decibels shall be 
penalized as follows:
a) For the first offense, a fine of five thousand pesos (P5,000.00) and confiscation 
of the modified muffler or sound booster;
b) For the second offense, a fine of ten thousand pesos (P10,000.00) and 
impoundment of the motor vehicle for a period of one (1) month;
c) For succeeding offenses, a fine of fifteen thousand pesos (P15,000.00) and 
suspension of the driver's license of the violator for six (6) months.
SEC. 10. Implementing Agency. — The LTO shall be the lead government 
agency in implementing the provisions of this Act. Provided, That the LTO may 
deputize the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) agents, local public safety 
and other officers of the LGU to assist in the implementation of this Act.
LTO officers, MMDA agents, and local public safety and order officers, shall be 
equipped with a decibel meter to effectively gauge the intensity of loudness of a motor 
vehicle.
SEC. 11. Appropriations. - The amount needed for the initial implementation of 
this Act shall be charged against the current year's appropriations of the LTO. 
Thereafter, such amount as may be necessary for the continued implementation of 
this Act shall be included in the General Appropriations Act.


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SEC. 12. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days upon 
the approval of this Act, the Department of Transportation shall, in consultation with 
the various stakeholders, formulate the rules and regulations necessary for the proper 
implementation of this Act.
SEC. 13. Separability Clause. - If any part, section or provision of this Act is 
declared invalid or unconstitutional, the other parts thereof, not affected thereby shall 
remain in full force and effect.
SEC. 14. Repealing Clause. - All laws, acts, presidential decrees, executive 
orders, administrative orders, rules and regulations, or parts thereof, inconsistent with 
or contrary to the provisions of this Act are hereby amended, modified or repealed 
accordingly.
SEC. 15. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general 
circulation.
Approved,