The Sangguniang Panglungsod (SP) or the City Council hikes the penalties, via an ordinance, for the use of defective or modified mufflers in the city, a report from the City Council says.

The local government of Tagbilaran has been receiving numerous complaints regarding the noise emitted from motor vehicles using defective or modified mufflers and sound boosters or devices.

The use of these devices caused noise levels that could affect the quality of life of the people which may even lead to permanent hearing loss.

For this reason, the SP led by Vice Mayor Jose Antonio S. Veloso, by way of an ordinance, increased the penalty imposed on people who use the said illegal devices.

The owners and drivers of motor vehicles with said illegal deceives, which produce noise of up to 120 decibels within a 15.2 meter distance, shall be penalized with a fine not exceeding P5,000 or imprisonment for a period not exceeding one year, or both upon the discretion of the court.

Furthermore, vehicles with the illegal devices shall be held for safekeeping in an area to be designated by the City Police Force and the City Traffic Management Office (CTMO), and shall only be released to the owner upon payment of the penalty and the removal of the illegal devices.

Bohol needs a million doses of COVID vaccines

Bohol roughly needs a million doses of the Coronavirus disease (Covid) vaccines even if the Provincial Government has assured some 200,000 jabs as soon as the vaccine would be green-lighted for use here.

The authorities want to get as much doses of the vaccine in order to inoculate a certain number of Boholanos in order to achieve herd immunity.

Herd immunity means a condition acquired by a community when most of its population becomes immune by vaccination, to an infectious disease, thus preventing the spread of the disease, health authorities say.

However, the World Health Organization (WHO) admits it does not know how much of the population needs to be vaccinated to attain herd immunity.

Bohol Inter Agency Task Force (BIATF) spokesperson, Dr Cesar Tomas Lopez said they initially Bohol is looking to inoculate 700,000 people with two doses.

Based on the initial target, Bohol would need at least 1,400,000 doses.

On this, the Provincial Government is accordingly putting up funds for the purchase of initial 200,000 doses while a group of local businessmen under the Bohol Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) is also putting up a similar amount for the purchase of 200,000 more doses for their frontline workers.

This brings to a total of 400,000 doses assured for Boholanos.

Tagbilaran City has openly declared it has appropriated money to purchase vaccines for its constituents.

Moreover, Lopez said local authorities are still undecided on which vaccine would be used for Bohol.

He added they are taking into consideration the price, the effectivity and the storage of the vaccines. (Rey Anthony Chiu)