FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S.No. 1610 
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Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
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EXPLANATORY NOTE 
According (0 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 (0 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 al1dio 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." I 
I This bill was originally filed in the Fourteenth Congress, Second Regular Session 
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FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
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OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENiI.~E 
S. No. 
1 10 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
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AN ACT 
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PROHIBITING A MANUFACTURER FROM DISTRIBUTING PERSONAL AUDIO 
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PLf,\ YERS UNLESS THERE IS A WARNING LABEL ON THE PRODUCT 
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WHICH PROVIDES THAT IT MAY CAUSE HEARING DAMAGE 
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. 6 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
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Congress assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Short Tille, This Act may be known as the "Music Player Noise Warning 
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Act". 
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SECTION 2. Dejinilions. For purposes of this Act, the following definitions shall apply: 
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A. MANUFACTURER - means a person who manufactures or imports a personal audio 
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player for distribntion. 
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B. PERSONAL AUDIO PLAYER - means a personal, electronic device that allows the user 
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to listen to audio while mobile. 
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SECTION 3. Prohibition. No manufacturer shall distribute a personal audio player unless 
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the manufacturer affixes a warning label on the personal audio player that reads as follows: 
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"WARNING: This product may cause hearing damage. A volume level of 115 decibels may 
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cause pelmanent hearing damage after 15 minutes of exposure." 
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SECTION 4. Penalties. Any manufacturer who violates this Act, shall be liable to a fine 
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of not less than Fifty Thousand Pesos (P50,OOO.00). 
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SECTION 5. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part thereof, is held invalid or 
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unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain 
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valid and subsisting. 
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SECTION 6. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
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order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to, or inconsistent 
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with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly. 
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SECTION 7. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shal1 take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
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publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
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Approved. 
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