The Land Transportation Office District Office in Bayawan City on Monday launched its massive campaign Oplan Sikop to address the perennial problem of noisy and defective mufflers as well as other issues pertaining to traffic laws, rules and regulations.
LTO-Bayawan District Office chief Alberta Janine Lawas disclosed on Monday that Oplan Sikop is done in coordination with the local government unit of Bayawan City, headed by Mayor Pryde Henry Teves, the City Public Safety OfficE, and the local Philippine National Police in that southern city.
During the first day of the implementation of Oplan Sikop, law enforcers impounded 15 motor vehicles and confiscated eight drivers’ licenses, said Lawas.
She clarified that the roadside inspection and operation will also arrest violators of Republic Act 4136 or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code of the Philippines as well as those driving motorcycles with modified mufflers.
Lawas explained that defective and modified mufflers include those that have been cut or whose silencers have been removed.
Also, mufflers that do not meet the prescribed allowable specifications, such as those sold in shops that are bigger in size, will also be considered a violation.
Oplan Sikop also aims to tap the PNP’s Provincial Highway Patrol Team although on the first day of its implementation, the latter could not make it to Bayawan City.
Meanwhile, the PHT, headed by Sr. Insp. Robelito Mariano disclosed Monday that they have impounded a total of 83 motorcycles within a six-day intensified campaign in Dumaguete city recently.
Of the total, 59 had modified mufflers while 24 others were found to have other violations such as no driver’s license, unregistered motorcycle, no side mirrors and no tail lights, among others.
Mariano said Barangay Daro had the highest number of violators during the intensified campaign against noisy mufflers.
Dumaguete Mayor Felipe Antonio had earlier deputized the PHT to aid the city’s TMO in the drive against noisy mufflers and the implementation of traffic laws and local ordinances. (PNA/JFP)
