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WHEREAS, RA 4136 known as the Land Transportation and Traffic Code states that "No horn or signaling device emitting exceptionally loud, startling or disagreeable sound shall be installed on any motor vehicle";

WHEREAS, it has been observed that there are still a number of vehicles traversing along the thoroughfares of Metro Manila using power horns and horns of varying sounds, sirens and other similar devices that emit noises, thereby affecting the health of Metro Manilans;

WHEREAS, Republic Act 7924 empowers the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority to fix, impose and collect fines and penalties for all kinds of violations of traffic rules and regulations, whether moving or non-moving in nature, and confiscate and suspend or revoke driver's licenses in the enforcement of such traffic laws and regulations, the provisions of RA 4136 and PD 1605 to the contrary notwithstanding;

WHEREAS, in consonance with the aforementioned mandate, the Metro Manila Council (Council) deems it necessary and urgent to ban the installation of loud/power horns, horns of varying sounds, sirens and other similar devices that produce exceptionally loud or startling sound on all types of vehicles traversing along the thoroughfares of Metro Manila.

NOW, THEREFORE, pursuant to Section 6 of RA 7924, this Regulation is hereby adopted and promulgated by the Metro Manila Council, that:

SECTION 1. Definition of Terms

As used in this Regulation, the following terms shall mean:

a. Horns of Varying Sounds - horns that produce impulsive sound with different tones that varies in sound pressure level.

b. Motor Vehicles - both private and public vehicles including buses, jeepneys, taxis, FXs, tricycles, motorcycles and the like.

c. Noise - any sound level in excess of the sound level produced by ordinary horns, startling and disagreeable sound; unwanted sound.

d. Ordinary Horn - any horn that does not produce loud, disturbing and disagreeable sound/noise, allowed by the Land Transportation Office under LTO Department Order No. 1, Series of 1973.

e. Outright Destruction - on the spot destruction of the device without removing it from where it is mounted.

f. Power/Loud Horn - horn that emits exceptionally loud, disturbing and disagreeable sound.

g. Similar Devices - any device intended to produce or which actually produces noise or startling when operated or handled.

h. Siren (Wangwang) a kind of whistle that produces loud piercing sound usually installed on firetrucks, ambulances and law enforcement vehicles.

i. Sound - the sensation produced by stimulation of the organs of hearing by vibrations transmitted through the air or other medium; The particular auditory effect produced by a given cause.

j. Sound level - the level of sound allowed on certain types of vehicles expressed in decibel/s usually designated dB if read on the C-scale of the meter or dBA if read on A-scale.  It is sometimes referred to as the sound pressure level.

SECTION 2. Coverage. This Regulation shall apply to all motor vehicles traversing along the thoroughfares of Metro Manila. Provincial buses shall be allowed with power horns for provincial highway use but shall not be used within Metro Manila.

SECTION 3. Prohibited Acts. It is unlawful to install loud/power horns of varying sounds, sirens (wangwang) and other similar devices on all types of vehicles traversing along the thoroughfares of Metro Manila.

SECTION 4. SIRENS are allowed in motor vehicles with appropriate markings designated for official use by the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection, National Bureau of Investigation, Land Transportation Office and hospital ambulances.

SECTION 5. Allowable Sound Level. Blowing of horns must not exceed the following sound levels at a distance of 15.2 meters (50 feet) from the center of the road:

 

a. Motorbikes/tricycles/scooters	-	80 dBA
b. Cars, jeeps, vans, FX, taxis and other light vehicles	-	85 dBA
c. Buses, cargo trucks/delivery trucks/ trailer trucks and other heavy vehicles	-	91 dBA

SECTION 6. Blowing of horns must be minimized in areas near hospitals, educational institutions and courts.

SECTION 7. Penalty. Outright destruction of the prohibited device at the place of apprehension.  (This is imperative because of difficulty in removing said devices if done in the roadways for it may cause traffic build-up and poses danger to the commuters/public).

SECTION 8. Repealing Clause. This Regulation shall be in support of and will not in any manner repeal, amend nor modify any existing similar local ordinance in Metro Manila.

SECTION 9. Effectivity. This Regulation shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation in Metro Manila.

Adopted: 22 May 2003

 

(SGD.) BAYANI F. FERNANDO
Chairman
(SGD.) VERGEL A. AGUILAR	(SGD.) JOSE L. ATIENZA, JR.
Mayor, Las Piñas City	Mayor, Caloocan City
(SGD.) FELICIANO R. BELMONTE, JR.	(SGD.) ROSENDO T. CAPCO
Mayor, Quezon City	Mayor, Pateros
(SGD.) BOBBIT L. CARLOS, M.D.	(SGD.) JOSEPH VICTOR G. EJERCITO
Mayor, Valenzuela City	Mayor, San Juan
(SGD.) SOLEDAD C. EUSEBIO	(SGD.) MA. LOURDES C. FERNANDO
Mayor, Pasig City	Mayor, Marikina City
(SGD.) JAIME R. FRESNEDI	(SGD.) TOBIAS M. TIANGCO
Mayor, City of Muntinlupa	Mayor, Navotas
(SGD.) SIGFRIDO R. TINGA	(SGD.) WENCESLAO B. TRINIDAD
Mayor, Taguig	Mayor, Pasay City
(SGD.) AMADO S. VICENCIO	(SGD.) JESUS C. CRUZ
Mayor, City of Malabon	Chairman
	Metro Manila Vice Mayors League
(SGD.) PERPETUO F. CAMILA
President
Metro Manila Councilors League