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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

Quezon City
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

35

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by: Hon. Angelina “Helen” D.L. Tan, M.D.

AN ACT PROHIBITING THE USE OF VIDEOKE/KARAOKE SYSTEMS AND
OTHER SOUND AMPLIFYING EQUIPMENT THAT CAUSE UNNECESSARY
DISTURBANCE TO THE PUBLIC WITHIN THE RESIDENTIAL AREAS, AND
PROVIDING PENALTIES THEREFOR

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Article 2, Section 15 of the Constitution provides that, “The State shall protect
and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among
them.” It also provides that: "The maintenance of peace and order, the protection of life,
liberty, and property, and the promotion of the general welfare are essential for the
enjoyment by all the people of the blessings of democracy." (Article II, Sec. 5).

Noise or sound pollution refers to any exposure of people or even animals to
sound levels that are annoying, stressful, or damaging to a person’s ears. Although loud
and frightening sounds are part of nature, only in recent years has much of the world
become urban, industrial, and chronically noisy.

Noise causes difficulty in conversations. It interferes with sleep and negatively
impacts certain kinds of work. As a source of stress, it can promote high blood pressure
and other cardiovascular problems as well as nervous disorders.

One major source of noise among residential areas in the country is caused by the
use of videoke/karaoke systems. Everywhere in the Philippines, many local residents or
groups are accustomed in utilizing public streets or road sides to gain wider area for a
private activity or function, often making use of videoke/karaoke systems, amplified
audio devices sheltered on collapsible tents as form of amusement, recreation or for
private audience.

‘The making or creation of excessive, unnecessary or unusually loud sounds from
videoke/karaoke systems or other amplified audio devices beyond limits and at
unacceptable levels during unholy hours causes serious discomfort and has created
numerous complaints and public condemnation as they are detrimental to public health,
comfort, convenience, safety, welfare and prosperity of the general public.

Although there are existing anti-noise pollution laws in the country (i.e. the
landmark Clean Air Act or Republic Act No. 8749, which regulates and controls
emissions including unwanted sound from a known source that is passed into the
atmosphere; Presidential Decree No. 1152 or the Philippine Environmental Code, which
establishes the standards for acceptable noise levels for communities; Presidential
Decree No. 984 or the Pollution Control Law, which seeks to prevent, abate and control
different types of pollution including noise; and certain provisions of the Revised Penal
Code), these legislations do not squarely address President Rodrigo Duterte’s policy
pronouncement of enforcing a 10 p.m. ban on videoke/karaoke singing as part of
imposing strict discipline to make the entire country safe and orderly consistent with his
Davao governance model.


Tpview thereof, this measure is being filed to address the problem of noise
pollution in residential areas by prohibiting the use of videoke/karaoke systems and
other sound amplifying equipment that cause unnecessary disturbance during specified
hours of the day with the end view of protecting the welfare of the general public from
the excessive sound and vibration and inadequately controlled noise which are serious
hazards to health and safety and is a source of annoyance to the populace.

Hence, approval of this bill is earnestly requested.

Wy
ANGELINA “HELEN” fy, TAN, M.D.
4 District, Quezon


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 1025

Introduced by: Hon. Angelina “Helen” D.L. Tan, M.D.

AN ACT PROHIBITING THE USE OF VIDEOKE/KARAOKE SYSTEMS AND
OTHER SOUND AMPLIFYING EQUIPMENT THAT CAUSE UNNECESSARY
DISTURBANCE TO THE PUBLIC WITHIN THE RESIDENTIAL AREAS, AND
PROVIDING PENALTIES THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Definition of Terms - For purposes of this Act, the term:

(a) Reasonable person means an objective standard against which any
individual's conduct can be measured. It is used to determine if a breach of the standard
of care has occurred, provided a duty of care is proven. A reasonable person holds that
each person owes a duty to behave as a reasonable person would under the same or
similar circumstances;

(b) Sound Amplifying Equipment means any machine or device that is used for
the amplification of the human voice, music or any other sound;

(©) Unnecessary Disturbance means any noise or sound that annoys or disturbs;
or that creates an actual and imminent interference with peace and good order and is
perceived by a reasonable person or ordinary sensibilities as interrupting the natural
tranquility and calm of the area; or disturb, injure or endanger the health or safety of the
public

(@) Videoke or Karaoke System means any audio-video equipment operated and
built to produce images and/or lyrics of a song on a television screen to afford a person
to sing along using any electronic device. Such operation may be free or for free or thru
operation by dropping tokens or coins on the machine;

SEC. 2. Prohibition in Making Unnecessary Disturbance to the Public. — It shall
be unlawful for any person or business establishment to cause unnecessary disturbance
to the public.

The playing or operating or permitting the playing or operating of any radio, CD
player, television set, amplified musical instrument, drums, loudspeaker, videoke or
karaoke system, or other sound amplifying equipment shall only be allowed from eight
o'clock in the morning until ten o'clock in the evening throughout the week.

‘The operation of such set, machine or device in such manner as to be plainly
audible at a distance of 50 feet from the place in which it is located shall be prima facie
evidence of a violation of this Act.

SEC. 3. Penalties. - Any person or business entity who violates the prohibition as
prescribed in the preceding sections shall be punished by a fine of One Thousand Pesos
(P1,000.00) or an imprisonment of not more than six (6) months or both, such fine and
imprisonment at the discretion of the court.


For succeeding offenses, both penalties shall apply in addition to the revocation of
the license to operate a business. If the violation is committed by a corporation,
partnership, association or similar entity, the president, General Manager or most
senior officers shall be held liable for the offense.

SEC. 4. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, rules
and regulations or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act
are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 5. Separability Clause. — If any part of provision of this Act shall be held
unconstitutional or invalid, other provisions hereof which are not affected hereby shall
continue to be in full force and effect.

SEC. 6. Effectivity. - This act shall take effect fifteen (15) days alter its publication
in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,