FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
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OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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Second Regular Session 
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Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
According to scientific studies, noise from personal music players threatens 
permanent hearing loss for many people who use them. People who use these personal 
music players do not realize the damage until years after it is done. 
Scientific studies indicate that those who listened for only five hours a week at 
high-volume settings exposed themselves to more noise than permitted in the noisiest 
factory or workplace. Maximum volume on some devices can generate as much noise as 
an airplane taking off nearby. 
This bill is in response to the harmful volume levels at which users of portable audio 
players (e.g., MP3 players or iPods) are able to listen. This bill prohibits a manufacturer 
from distributing a personal audio player unless the manufacturer affixes a warning label 
on the personal audio player that reads as follows: “WARNING: This product may 
cause hearing damage. A volume level of 115 decibels may cause permanent hearing 
damage after 15 minutes of exposure.” 
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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
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OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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Second Regular Session 
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Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
PROHIBITING A MANUFACTURER FROM DISTRIBUTING PERSONAL AUDIO 
PLAYERS UNLESS THERE IS A WARNING LABEL ON THE PRODUCT 
WHICH PROVIDES THAT IT MAY CAUSE HEARING DAMAGE 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECI‘LON 1. Short Title. This Act may be known as the “Music Player Noise 
Warning Act”. 
SECIION 2. Definilions. For purposes of this Act, the following definitions shall 
A. MANUFACTURER - means a person who manufactures or imports a personal 
audio player for distribution. 
B. PERSONAL AUDIO PLAYER - means a personal, electronic device that allows 
the user to listen to audio while mobile. 
SECTION 3. Prohibition. No manufacturer shall distribute a personal audio 
player unless the manufacturer affixes a warning label on the personal audio player that 
reads as follows: “WARNING: This product may cause bearing damage. A volume 
level of 115 decibels may cause permanent hearing damage after 15 minutes of 
exposure.” 
SECTION 4. Penalties. Any manufacturer who violates this Act, shall be liable to 
a fine of not less than Fifty Thousand Pesos (P50,OOO.OO). 
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SECTION 5 .  Separability Clause. - If my provision or part thereof, is held 
invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise 
affected shall remain valid and subsisting. 
SECTION 6. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, 
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to, 
or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended 
accordingly. 
SECTION 7. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved. 
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