1
TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session  
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
H. No. 1859
Introduced by Representative Binky April M. Tupas 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
AN ACT 
REGULATING NOISE POLLUTION BY CREATING THE NOISE 
POLLUTION CONTROL BOARD (NPCB), PROVIDING FUNDS 
THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
The Constitution, Article 2, Section 15 provides: 
“The State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people 
and instill health consciousness among them.” 
Community noise (also called environmental noise, residential noise or 
domestic noise) is defined as noise emitted from all sources except noise at 
the industrial workplace. Main sources of community noise include road, rail 
and air traffic; industries; construction and public work; and the 
neighborhood. The main indoor noise sources are ventilation systems, office 
machines, home appliances and neighbors.1 
A World Health Organization (WHO) report suggests that noise can 
affect human health and well-being in a number of ways, including 
annoyance reaction, sleep disturbance, interference with communication, 
performance effects, and effects on social behavior. 
Exposure to noise has also been associated with a range of possible 
physical effects including colds, changes in blood pressure, other 
cardiovascular changes, increased doctor/ hospital visits, problems with the 
digestive system and general fatigue. In fact, prolonged exposure to noise 
levels at or above 80 decibels has been medically proven to cause 
permanent hearing loss. Eighty decibels is equivalent to the sound produced 
by an alarm clock at two feet, factory noise, vacuum cleaner, heavy trucks, 
and loud radio music. 
1 WHO, (1999). Guidelines for Community Noise, Edited by Birgitta Berglund, World Health Organization, 
Thomas Lindvall, and Dietrich Schwela. Geneva, April 1999. 
July 14, 2025
1:36 pm




3
TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session  
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
H. No. 1859
Introduced by Representative Binky April M. Tupas 
AN ACT 
REGULATING NOISE POLLUTION BY CREATING THE NOISE 
POLLUTION CONTROL BOARD (NPCB), PROVIDING FUNDS 
THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
Philippines in Congress assembled:  
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Noise 
Pollution Control and Abatement Act.” 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is hereby declared the policy 
of the State to protect and promote the right to health, safety and general 
welfare of the people by providing them an environment free from 
environmental noise due to economic development and modern technology 
that disrupt the natural rhythm of life.  
SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. – For purposes of this Act, the 
following terms shall mean: 
a) “Ambient Noise” – the composite of noise from all sources near and far
and in a given environment, exclusive or occasional and transient
intrusive noise sources and of the particular noise source or sources
to be measured;


 
 
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b) “Decibel” (dB) – a unit of level which denotes the ration between two 
quantities which are proportional to power, the number of decibels 
corresponding to the ration of two amounts of power is 10 of this ratio; 
 
c) “Environmental Noise” – the sound that is emitted in the course of 
industrial production, construction, transportation and social activities 
that impairs the living environment of the people; 
 
d) “Motor Vehicle” – includes, but not limited to automobiles, trucks, 
motorcycles, motor bikes and go carts; 
 
e) “Noise Emission” – noise discharged from the source to the living 
environment of the neighborhood; 
 
f) “Noise Pollution” – an unwanted human-created sound that disrupts 
the environment and emitted sporadically or over a period of time; the 
dominant form of which are derived from transportation sources, motor 
vehicles, sound system, equipment, tolls, apparatus, machinery and 
the like; 
 
g) “Noise-sensitive Structures” – those that require a quiet environment 
such as hospitals, schools, government offices, research institutions 
and residential buildings; 
 
h) “Octave band noise analyzer” – an instrument for measurement of 
sound levels in octave frequency band which satisfies the pertinent 
requirement for class 2 ban analyzers of the American National 
Standards Specifications; 
 
i) “Person” – an individual, firm, association, co-partnership, joint venture 
corporation or any entity, private or public in nature; 
 
j) “Sound amplifying equipment” – any machine or device for 
amplification of the human voice, music or any sound including the 


 
 
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following: (1) automobile radios, stereo players, phonographs for 
television receivers used in or heard only by the occupants of the 
vehicle in which the same is installed; (2) radio, stereo players, 
phonographs or television receivers used in a house or apartment 
within any residential zone or within 500 feet thereof; (3) warning 
devices or emergency vehicles; and (4) horns or other warning devices 
authorized by law on any vehicle when used for traffic purposes. 
 
k) “Sound Level (Noise Level)” – in decibels (dB), is the sound measured 
with an “A” weighing and slow responses by a sound level meter, 
except an impulsive or rapidly varying sounds, the fast response shall 
be used; and  
 
l) “Sound Level Meter” – an instrument including a microphone, an 
amplifier, an output meter, and “A” frequency weighing network for the 
measurement of sound levels; 
 
 
SECTION 4. Creation of the Noise Pollution Control Board 
(NPCB). – To implement the policies and attain the objectives enunciated 
under this Act, there is hereby created the Noise Pollution Control Board 
(NPCB), herein referred to as the “Board” attached to the Department of 
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and shall have its principal 
office at Metro Manila.  
 
SECTION 5. Composition of the NPCB. – The Board shall be 
composed of one (1) Undersecretary of the DENR as Chairman and one (1) 
Undersecretary of the Department of Health (DOH) as Vice-Chairman, 
respectively, who shall both be appointed by the President. The following 
shall be members of the Board: 
 
a) One (1) representative from the Department of Transportation 
(DOTr); 
 


 
 
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b) One (1) representative from the Department of Public Works and 
Highways (DPWH); 
 
c) One (1) representative from the Department of Interior and Local 
Government (DILG); 
 
d) One (1) representative from the Department of Trade and Industry 
(DTI);  
 
e) One (1) representative from the Department of Science and 
Technology (DOST); 
 
f) One (1) representative from the Department of Labor and 
Employment (DOLE); 
 
g) One (1) representative from the Department of Human Settlements 
and Urban Development (DHSUD); 
 
SECTION 6. Powers and Functions of the Board. The Board shall 
have the following powers and functions: 
 
a) Formulate and implement such policies and programs necessary for 
the accomplishment of the purposes of this Act; 
 
b) Set up, revise and/ or modify existing noise standards consistent 
with economic development and technology; 
 
c) Determine the source, magnitude, extent, severity, causes, effects 
and other pertinent information regarding noise pollution and take 
such measures, using available methods and technologies, as it 
shall deem best to prevent or abate such pollution; 
 
d) Prescribe procedures and criteria for the measurement of sound 
level; 


 
 
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e) Conduct continuing researches and studies on the effective means 
for the control and abatement of noise pollution; 
 
f) Develop comprehensive plans for the abatement of existing noise 
pollution and the prevention of new or imminent pollution, the 
implementation of which shall be consistent with the national 
development of the country and indicating priorities and programs; 
 
g) Adopt, prescribe, promulgate and issue rules and regulations 
governing compliance of the provisions of this Act; 
 
h) Develop and disseminate information and educational materials to 
all sectors of society concerning public health and other effects of 
noise and the most effective means for noise control, through the 
use of materials for school curricula, volunteer organizations, radio 
and television programs, publication and other social media; 
 
i) Deputize in writing or request assistance from concerned 
government agencies or instrumentalities for the purpose of 
enforcing the provisions of this Act; 
 
j) Issue, renew or deny permits under such conditions as it may 
determine to be reasonable for the prevention and abatement of 
noise pollution; 
 
k) Impose reasonable fees and charges for the issuance or renewal of 
permits relative to the compliance of the provisions of this Act; and 
 
l) Exercise and perform such other powers and functions as may be 
necessary or incidental to the attainment of the purposes and 
objectives of this Act. 
 


 
 
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SECTION 7. Secretariat of the Board. – The Board shall establish a 
Secretariat which shall assist in the implementation of this Act. Its staffing 
pattern shall be established in coordination with the Department of Budget 
and Management and in accordance with the Civil Service rules and 
regulations.  
 
SECTION 8. General Requirements and Restrictions on Noise 
Level and Control. – The following shall be the general requirements and 
restrictions on noise level: 
 
a) Any noise level caused by use or operation of radio, television 
receiver, musical instrument, phonograph or other similar machine 
or device which is audible to the human ear shall be at a distance 
not to exceed 150 feet from the property line of the noise source, 
within any residential zone or within 500 feet thereof; 
 
b) Any noise level caused by such use or operation which exceeds the 
ambient noise level on the premises of any other occupied property, 
or if a condominium, apartment, house, duplex, or attached 
business, within an adjoining unit, shall not exceed five (5) decibels; 
and  
 
c) The most modern, effective and affordable technology shall be used 
to control noise emissions.  
 
SECTION 9. Sound Level Measurement Procedure and Criteria. – 
The following are the sound level measurement procedure and criteria: 
 
a) Any sound level measurement made pursuant to the provisions of 
this Act shall be measured with a sound level meter using the “A” 
weighing and response; except when impractical, the microphone 
shall be located 4 to 5 feet above the ground and 10 feet or more 
from the nearest reflective surface; 


 
 
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b) If the sound alleged to be offending is of a type or character set forth 
below: 
 
1. Except for noise emanating from any electrical transformer or 
gas metering and pressure control equipment existing and 
installed prior to the effective date of the ordinance enacting this 
chapter, any steady tone with audible fundamental frequency or 
overtones have 200 Hz…………………………. +5. 
 
2. Repeated impulsive noise 
……………………………………………..+5. 
 
3. Noise occurring more than 5 but less than 15 minutes in any 
period of 60 consecutive minutes between the hours of 7:00 a.m. 
and 10:00 p.m. of any day ……………+5. 
 
c) For those cases where an objectionable noise is clearly audible, but 
when the level of ambient noise does not permit direct quantitative 
sound level “A”: measurements of the objectionable noise, sound 
measurements may be performed utilizing an octave band sound 
analyzer to determine sound level “A” limits as indicated in the Table 
below. This table is used to convert the sound pressure level meter 
readings in dB for each band to SPL in dB (A) for each band.  
 
Table 
Octave Band Noise Value Corresponding to Sound Level “A” Values  
 
Octave Band Sound Pressure Level, dB re 0.0002 dyne/ cm 
 
Sound 
level 
 
Octave Band Center Frequency in Hz 
“A” 
31.5 63 
125 250 500 1000 2000 4000 8000 
35 
58 
50 
42 
35 
32 
29 
26 
23 
20 


 
 
10 
40 
61 
54 
46 
40 
37 
34 
31 
28 
25 
45 
64 
58 
51 
45 
42 
39 
36 
33 
30 
50 
67 
61 
55 
50 
47 
44 
41 
38 
35 
55 
70 
64 
60 
55 
52 
49 
46 
43 
40 
60 
73 
68 
64 
60 
57 
54 
51 
48 
45 
65 
76 
72 
68 
65 
62 
59 
56 
53 
50 
70 
79 
76 
73 
70 
67 
64 
61 
58 
55 
75 
84 
81 
78 
75 
72 
69 
66 
63 
60 
 
SECTION 10. Criteria/ Standards for Violations of this Act. – In 
determining any violation of this Act, the following criteria or standards shall 
be considered: 
 
a) Level of noise; 
 
b) Whether the nature of the noise is usual or unusual; 
 
c) Whether the origin of the noise is natural or unnatural;  
 
d)  Level and intensity of the background noise, if any; 
 
e) Proximity of the noise to residential sleeping facilities; 
 
f) Nature and zoning of the area within which the noise emanates;  
 
g) Density of the inhabitation of the area within which the noise 
emanates; 
 
h) Time of the day and night the noise occurs; 
 
i) Duration of the noise; 
 
j) Whether the noise is recurrent, intermittent, or constant; and  
 


 
 
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k) Whether the noise is produced by a commercial or non-commercial 
activity.  
 
SECTION 
11. 
Procedure 
and 
Criteria 
for 
Sound 
Level 
Measurement. – Any sound measurement made pursuant to the provisions 
of this section shall be measured with a sound level meter using the “A” 
weighing and response as indicated in Section 9 hereof. Except when 
impractical, the microphone shall be located four (4) to five (5) feet above 
the ground and ten (10) feet or more from the nearest reflective surface. 
However, in those cases where another elevation is deemed appropriate, the 
latter shall be utilized, interior sound level measurements shall be made at a 
point at least four (4) feet from the wall, ceiling, or floor nearest the noise 
source. Calibration of the sound level meter, utilizing an acoustic calibrator 
shall be performed immediately prior to recording any sound level data. The 
ambient noise level and the level of a particular noise being measured shall 
be the numerical average of noise measurements taken at a given location 
during a given time period.  
 
SECTION 12. Prohibited Acts. – Any person who willfully make or 
continue, or cause to be made or continued, any loud, unnecessary and 
unusual noise which disturbs the peace or quiet of any neighborhood or 
which causes discomfort or annoyance to any reasonable person of normal 
sensitiveness residing in the area shall be liable for noise pollution and 
punishable under this Act. 
 
The following shall constitute as prohibited acts punishable under this 
Act: 
 
a) Use or operate any radio, musical instrument, phonograph, 
television receiver, or other machine or device for producing, 
reproducing or amplification of the human voice, music, or any other 
sound, in such a manner as to disturb the peace, quiet, and comfort 


 
 
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of the neighbor occupants or any reasonable person residing or 
working in the area; 
 
b) Operate any air conditioning, refrigeration or heating equipment for 
any residence or other structure or to operate any pumping, filtering 
or heating equipment for any pool or reservoir in such manner as to 
create any noise which would cause the noise level on the premises 
of any other occupied property or if a condominium, apartment 
house, duplex, or attached business, within any adjoining unit to 
exceed the ambient noise level by more than five (5) decibels 
except when the operation of the equipment, instrument is for 
emergency work, periodic maintenance or testing or is reasonably 
necessary; 
 
c) Operate any lawn mower, back pack blower, lawn edger, riding 
tractor, or any other machinery, equipment, or other mechanical or 
electrical device, or any residential zone or within 500 feet of a 
residence between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. of the 
following day; 
 
d) Operate or cause to be operated any machinery, equipment, tools, 
or other mechanical or electrical device or engage in any other 
activity in such manner as to create any noise which would cause 
the noise level on the premises of any other occupied property, or, 
if a condominium, apartment house, duplex, or attached business, 
within any adjoining unit, to exceed the ambient noise level by more 
than five (5) decibels;  
 
e) Use gas powered blower within 500 feet of a residence at anytime 
with the exception of leaf vacuum devices which operate at a sound 
level not to exceed 45 dB(A) at any point that is normally occupied 
by a customer, unless a conspicuous and legible sign is located 
outside such place, near each public entrance, stating; 


 
 
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f) Operate, play, or permit the operation or playing of any radio, 
television receiver, phonograph, musical instrument, sound 
amplifying 
equipment, 
or similar 
device 
which produces, 
reproduces, or amplifies sound in any place or public entertainment 
at a sound level greater than 95 dB(A) at any point that is normally 
occupied by a customer, unless a conspicuous and legible sign is 
located outside such place, near each public entrance, stating; 
 
g) Repair, rebuild, reconstruct or dismantle any motor vehicle between 
the hours of 8:00 p.m. of one day and 8:00 a.m. the next day within 
any residential property located in a residential zone or within 500 
feet thereof and that a reasonable person residing in the area 
experienced discomfort or annoyance and the activity is audible to 
the human ear at a distance in excess of 150 feet from the property 
line of the noise; 
 
h) Create any noise which cause the noise level on the premises of 
any occupied residential property, or if a condominium, apartment 
house or duplex, within any adjoining unit, to exceed the ambient 
noise level by more than five (5) decibels.  
 
i) Operate any motor-driven vehicle upon any property or 
unreasonably accelerate the engine of any vehicle, or sound, blow 
or operate the horn or other warning device of such vehicle as to 
disturb the peace, quiet and comfort of any neighborhood or of any 
reasonable person residing in the area, provided that the activity is 
audible to the human ear at a distance in excess of 150 feet from 
the property line of the noise source creating any noise which would 
cause the noise level on the premises of any occupied residential 
property, or if a condominium, apartment house or duplex, within 
any adjoining unit, to exceed the ambient noise level by more than 
five (5) decibels;  
 


 
 
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j) Sound, blow or operate any music, chimes or bells, or any similar 
sound device, amplified or otherwise, within 200 feet of any 
residential building between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. of 
the next day; 
 
k) Install, operate or use any vehicle theft alarm system that emits or 
causes the emission of an audible sound, which is not, or does not 
become, automatically and completely silenced within five (5) 
minutes; 
 
l) Use of sound amplifying equipment out of the normal, adequate and 
tolerable sound level causing public nuisance of loud and 
unnecessary noise; 
 
m) Install, use, or operate a loud speaker or sound amplifying 
equipment in a fixed or movable position or mounted upon any 
sound truck for the purpose of giving instructions, directions, talks, 
addresses, lectures, or transmitting music to any persons or 
assemblages of persons in or upon any public street, alley, side 
walk, part or place, or other public property is prohibited between 
the hours of 4:30 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. of the following day, except 
when the operation or use of sound amplifying equipment for 
noncommercial purposes in all residential zones is within 500 feet 
thereof and is used for regularly scheduled operative functions by 
any school or for the usual and customary purposes of any church. 
In all other zones and is within 500 feet of any residential zone, the 
operation or use of sound amplifying equipment for commercial 
purposes is prohibited between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. 
of the following day; 
 
n) Modify the exhaust system of a motor vehicle in a manner that shall 
amplify or increase the noise emitted by the engine of the motor 
vehicle in excess of the noise emitted by the muffler installed on the 
motor vehicle in the manufacturer’s original design; and  


 
 
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In all other zones, except such portions thereof as may be included with 500 
feet of any residential zone, the operation or use of sound amplifying 
equipment for noncommercial purposes is prohibited between the hours of 
10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. of the following day and the only sounds permitted 
shall be either music, human speech, or both. 
 
Sound emanating from sound amplifying equipment shall be limited in 
volume, tone and intensity when the sound is not audible at a distance in 
excess of 200 feet from the sound equipment. In no event shall the sound be 
loud and raucous or unreasonably jarring, disturbing, annoying or a nuisance 
to reasonable persons of normal sensitiveness within the area of audibility. 
 
Except as provided in (m) above, no sound amplifying equipment shall be 
operated upon any property adjacent to and within 200 feet of any hospital 
grounds or any school or church building while in use.  
 
SECTION. 13. Penalties. – Any person who shall violate any of the 
provisions of Section 12 hereof, upon conviction, be subject to a fine of not 
less than Ten Thousand Pesos (P10,000) but not more than Fifty Thousand 
Pesos (P50,000) or imprisonment of not less than two (2) months but not 
more than one (1) year, or both, upon the discretion of the court. 
 
 
In case any violation of this Act is committed by a partnership, 
corporation, association or any juridical person, the partner, president, 
director or manager who consents to or knowingly tolerates such violation 
shall be held liable as co-principal. 
 
SECTION. 14. Formulation of a Comprehensive Anti-Noise 
Pollution Program. – There shall be a comprehensive program to be 
formulated by the Board within one (1) year from the effectivity of this Act. 


 
 
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SECTION. 15. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – The 
Secretary of the DENR, in coordination with the DOH, DILG, DOLE, DPWH, 
and DHSUD shall, within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act, 
promulgate the rules and regulations to implement its provisions.  
 
SECTION. 16. Appropriations. – To implement the provisions of this 
Act, such amount as may be necessary is hereby authorized to be 
appropriated from the National Treasury. Thereafter, the amount necessary 
for its operation shall be included in the annual appropriations of the DENR. 
 
SECTION. 17. Separability Clause. – If any provisions or part hereof, 
is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law not otherwise 
affected shall remain valid and subsisting.   
 
SECTION. 18. 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. 19. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect fifteen 
(15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of 
general circulation.  
 
Approved,