A fine of P2,000 or corresponding imprisonment or both, at the discretion of the court, await any person found violating the provisions of Iloilo City’s Regulation Ordinance 2020-109 which regulates unnecessary noise. 

The new measure prohibits the use and operation of sound systems, videoke and karaoke systems, videoke and karaoke machines, loud audio/sound systems and other excessive sounds that create unnecessary noise that might affect educational setting of students from Monday to Saturday at 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the city until state of national health emergency is lifted in the Philippines.

“WHEREAS, because houses have now become the extensions of schools, students will have to make necessary adjustments…..while learning at home, it is necessary for the students to be able to concentrate and focus on their studies, whatever the alternative method of studying that they are using,” the ordinance read.

Earlier, Department of Interior Local Government, through Secretary Eduardo M. Año, has urged local government units to prohibit videoke and other loud, distracting noises during online classes, schoolwork and other activities as millions of students adjust to the blended learning system as a measure against COVID19

Meanwhile, business establishments that are not compliant of the provisions of Section 4 of this ordinance will be charged of the following:

* P500 fine per day after the deadline set by the Business Permits and License Office (BPLO) for sound proofing unless they will voluntarily close their business while sound proofing their premises;

* seven days business suspension;

* revocation of business permit upon failure to comply with such requirements after thorough investigation.

Section 4 of the ordinance provides that business or establishments that are engaged in entertainment with the use of the abovementioned sound devices are required to do the following:

* Provide effective soundproofing of their establishments to maintain the tolerable noise level outside their establishments.

* Adjust the volume of their sound device in such a way that it cannot be heard beyond 50 feet from their establishments.

* Disallow customers to adjust the volume of the sound devices once they are able to adjust it to the standard mentioned in the previous paragraph.

The said sound proofing shall be done on a deadline to be provided for by the BPLO.

Under the ordinance, the use and operation of videoke, karaoke, and other loud audio/sound system in public streets or road sides in the city shall be prohibited from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. every Monday to Saturday;

Also, no person shall make, or cause to be made any excessive, disturbing, unreasonable and unnecessary sound from karaoke/videoke machine or other excessive sound system such as radio, CD player, television sets, amplified musical instrument, drums, loudspeaker, or other sound-producing device in such manner or with such volume so as to annoy the quiet and comfort of a reasonable person of normal sensitivities.

Meanwhile, the following shall be exempted from the penalties of the ordinance:

* Official police and Armed Forces of the Philippines vehicles while using their siren if being used in the performance of their official duties;

* Ambulances, responder vehicles, or vehicles of the same nature using their siren when transporting patients or if while being used in the conduct of official duties;

* Firetrucks or vehicles of similar nature while using their siren if being used in the performance of their official duties;

* Private vehicles being used for emergency purposes; and

* Any vehicle allowed to use siren, bell, horn, whistle or similar gadget under the provisions of Presidential Decree No. 96 (Declaring Unlawful the use or attachment of Sirens, Bells, Horns, Whistles or Similar Gadgets that emit exceptionally loud or startling sounds, including Domelights and Other Signaling or Flashing Devices on Motor Vehicles and Providing Certain Exceptions Therefore);

* Sound-producing devices used by the city government, barangays or other government agencies when used for official announcements and/ or emergencies;

* Activities organized by the city government, barangays or any other government agencies or instrumentalities where the use of megaphones and/ or other sound producing devices that are indispensable in the conduct of the activities;

* Devices used by teachers and learners in the conduct of online class./WDJ