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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session 
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Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
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. 
Noise or Sound Pollution refers to any exposure of people or animals to sound 
levels that are annoying, stressful, or damaging to a person’s ears. Although loud and 
rrightening sounds are part of nature, only in recent years has much of the world become 
urban, industrial, and chronically noisy. 
Sound intensity is measured in units called decibels. In nature, an ordinary sound 
level would be 35 decibels. Speech runs between 65 to 70 decibels while heavy traffic 
generates 90 decibels. By 140 decibels, sound gets intolerable and painful to the human 
ear, but the harmful effects, including loss of hearing, set in at much lower levels. 
Most noise pollution comes from machines, especially trucks, automobiles, and 
aircraft. After market engine modifications and horns can cause the sound emanating 
from vehicle engines to increase several times the ordinary decibel level. The most 
significant health problem caused by noise pollution is hearing loss. Any noise 
appreciably louder than talking can damage the delicate hair cells in the cochlea, the 
structure in the inner ear that converts sound waves into auditory nerve signals. The 
initial damage to the cochlea may be temporary, but with repeated exposure, the damage 
becomes permanent. Loud noise deafens quickly-extremely 
loud sounds, such as 


gunshots at close range, can cause immediate hearing loss. But even sound levels of only 
85 decibels will cause some hearing loss after prolonged exposure. Damage to the ear can 
also cause tinnitus. Even at levels below those that cause hearing loss, noise pollution 
produces problems. 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. 
This bill seeks to address the problem of noise pollution in residential areas by 
regulating the operation of motor vehicles in these areas. 


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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
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OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session 
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SENATE 
S. B. No. 
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Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
REGULATING THE USE OF MOTOR DRIVEN VEHICLES 
IN RESIDENTIAL AREAS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Motor Vehicle Noise 
Regulation Act of2009.” 
SECTION 2. Regulation of the use of motor vehicles. - It shall be unlawful for any 
person to unreasonably operate any motor driven vehicle upon any property within a residential 
area or to unreasonably accelerate the engine of any vehicle, or unreasonably sound, blow or 
operate the horn or other warning device of such vehicle between the hours of 8:OO p.m. of one 
day and 8:00 a.m. of the next day in such manner: 
(a) As to disturb the peace, quiet and comfort of any neighborhood or of any reasonable 
person residing in such area; 
(b) That such activity is audible to the human ear at a distance in excess of 150 feet from 
the property line o€ the noise source; 
(c) As to create 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. 
SECTION 3. Exception. - This shall not be applicable to any vehicle which is operated 
upon any public highway, street or right-of-way or to the operation of any off-highway vehicle, 
or to any emergency situation requiring the commission of any of the prohibited activities. 
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SECTION 4. Penalties. - Any person found to violate this Act shall be fined P5,OOO.OO. 
SECTION 5 ,  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 6. ESfectivity 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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