San Juan cuts down on noise pollution
Saturday, September 08, 2007
San Juan cuts down on noise pollution
EXCESSIVE noise in the city of San Juan is now considered as pollution. A new ordinance bans and categorizes motor vehicles, sound systems and equipment, among others, classified as pollutants.
The ordinance, “Antipollution Ordinance of San Juan,” addresses the noise pollution caused by motor vehicles and machines that are “believed to be harmful to health and welfare of city residents.”
The ordinance, authored by Councilor Dante Santiago, defines noise pollution as belonging to “unwanted human-created sounds that disrupts the environment” and emitted sporadically or over a period of time. The dominant form of noise pollution are derived from transportation or motor vehicles, sound systems, equipment, tools, apparatus, machinery and the like.
Santiago said numerous complaints have been aired against public utility vehicles (PUVs) blowing their horns and playing amplified music even late at night and sometimes gatherings where loud music is usually played.
“These activities causes undue disturbance to many residents who are entitled to much needed rest at night,” said Santiago.
He stressed that the ordinance contains general prohibition against making noise that is a nuisance and provides specific guidelines for the level of noise allowable at certain times of the day or night for certain activities.
Excessive playing of amplified music, car horns are not allowed just as noise from any house, garden, or yard, from 10 pm to 8 am is also prohibited.
A warning notice must be served to any person responsible for the noise.
Exempted from the order are vehicles used for patrol by the police, and emergencies.
–Francis Earl A. Cueto, Manila Times