Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
3052

HOUSE BILL NO.

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

AN ACT
REGULATING PUBLIC DISTURBANCE NOISE AND THE USE OF VIDEOKE OR SOUND
AMPLIFYING DEVICES THAT UNREASONABLY ENDANGERS THE HEALTH, PEACE,
OR SAFETY OF PERSONS, AND PRESCRIBING 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, especially 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.

This measure seeks to address the problem of noise pollution in residential areas by
prohibiting excessive, unnecessary or unusually loud sounds generated from videoke/karaoke
systems or other amplified audio devices within residential areas and along public streets of
the country 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.

Likewise, it seeks to regulate public disturbance noise in general, particularly the
frequent, repetitive or continuous sounding of any horn or siren attached to a motor vehicle;



sounds in connection with the starting, operating, repair, rebuilding or testing of any motor
vehicle, motorcycle, off-highway vehicle or internal combustion engine, including hobby
vehicles and aircraft; yelling, shouting, or whistling on or near the public streets; and sound
from motor vehicle audio sound systems; among others.

Hence, immediate approval of this bill is earnestly requested.

(cf ‘ts

ANGELINA “HELEN” D.L. TAN, M.D.
4th District, Quezon


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. SUS

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

AN ACT
REGULATING PUBLIC DISTURBANCE NOISE AND THE USE OF VIDEOKE OR SOUND
AMPLIFYING DEVICES THAT UNREASONABLY ENDANGERS THE HEALTH, PEACE,
OR SAFETY OF PERSONS, AND PRESCRIBING PENALTIES THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled: 5

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Public Disturbance Noise
Regulation Act”.

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - Recognizing that noise is one of the top environmental
hazards to both physical and mental health and well-being of every person, the State shall
protect and promote the right to health of the people, maintain peace and order, and promote
the general welfare.

Towards this end, the State shall endeavor to reduce the exposure of the public to
noise and improve health by regulating any sound which unreasonably injures or endangers
the comfort, repose, peace, safety, and health of every person.

SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the term:

(a) “Public disturbance noise” means any noise, sound or signal which unreasonably
disturbs the comfort, peace, or repose of another person or persons.

(b) “Sound amplifying equipment” means any machine or device that is used for the
amplification of the human voice, music or any other sound;

(c) “Videoke” 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. 4. Public Disturbance Noise. - The following acts are hereby declared to be causing
public disturbance noise and prohibited for purposes of this Act; Provided, however, That the
foregoing enumeration of acts or noises shall not be construed as excluding other acts and
noises which may offend the public peace:

(a) The operating, playing or permitting the operation or playing of any loud sound
generated from videoke, karaoke system, radio, CD player, television set or amplified audio
devices such as musical instrument, drums, loudspeaker or other sound producing device
within residential areas and along public streets or road sides which either annoys, disturbs,
injures or endangers the health, comfort, peace or safety of the public in such manner or with


such volume so as to annoy the peace and comfort of a reasonable person in any dwelling or
residence; or with louder volume than is necessary for convenient hearing of the person/s who
are in the place in which such device is operated;

(b) The frequent, repetitive or continuous sounding of any horn or siren attached to a
motor vehicle, except as necessary or a warning of danger or as specifically permitted or
required by law;

(c) The creation of frequent, repetitive or continuous sounds in connection with the
starting, operating, repair, rebuilding or testing of any motor vehicle, motorcycle, off-highway
vehicle, or internal combustion engine, including hobby vehicles and aircraft, within a
residential area so as to unreasonably disturb or interfere with the peace, comfort and repose
of an owner or possessor of neighboring real property;

(d) The frequent, repetitive or continuous yelling, shouting, or whistling on or near the
public streets at any time and place so as to unreasonably disturb or interfere with the peace,
comfort and repose of owners or possessors of real property;

(e) Sound from motor vehicle audio sound systems, such as radio and compact disc
players, operated at a volume so as to be audible greater than seventy-five (75) feet from the
vehicle itself;

(f) Sound resulting from the squealing or screeching or such other sounds from motor
vehicle tires in contact with the ground or other roadway surface because of rapid
acceleration, braking or excessive speed around corners or because of such other reasons;
Provided, That sounds which result from actions which are necessary to avoid danger or are
emergent in nature shall be exempt from this section;

(g) Sound originating from construction sites, including but not limited to sounds from
construction equipment, power tools and hammering that unreasonably disturb or interfere
with the peace, comfort and repose of the public; and

(h) Sound originating from residential property relating to social gatherings and
temporary projects for the maintenance or repair of homes, grounds and appurtenances,
including but not limited to sounds from lawn mowers and power hand tools that interfere with
the peace, comfort and repose of an owner or possessor of neighboring real property.

SEC. 5. Permit on the Operation or Use of Videoke or Sound Amplifying Devices. -
Operation or use of videoke or amplified audio devices shall be allowed only upon securing of
a permit from the Barangay which has jurisdiction over the area and only until ten (10) o’clock
in the evening throughout the week.

The application shall describe the nature of the intended activity, the type of audio
device, the specific location at which such audio device is to be used or operated and, such
other pertinent information necessary for the Barangay to carry out its duties under this
section.

The issuance of permit signed by the Barangay Chairperson shall describe the nature of
the intended activity, specific location and type of audio device to be operated or used and the
period of time for which such device may be operated or used. It shall specify such other
terms and conditions as are essential to secure and protect the public safety.

The Barangay shall not issue a permit for the operation or use of videoke or sound
amplifying devices:


(a) At any location within 200 meters of a school or place of worship during the hours
of school or worship respectively, or within 200 meters of any hospital or other institution
caring for the sick or infirmed;

(b) At any location where the Barangay, upon investigation, shall determine that the
conditions of vehicular or pedestrian traffic or both are such that the operation or use of
videoke or sound amplifying devices in any property or public street or road side will constitute
serious hazards to the safety and comfort of pedestrians or vehicle operators;

(c) At any location where the Barangay, upon investigation, shall determine that the
conditions of overcrowding or other physical conditions are such that the operation or use of
videoke or sound amplifying devices in any property or public street or road side will deprive
the public, particularly those within their residences, of the reasonable right to safe, quiet,
healthful, and peaceful environment.

SEC. 6. Exemptions. - The prohibitions provided under the immediately preceding
Section of this Act shall not apply to regularly scheduled events at parks, schools, or other
property or places as may be provided under the rules and regulations of this Act between the
hours of eight (8) o'clock in the morning and ten (10) o’clock in the evening nor shall it apply
to sounds originating from residential property relating to temporary projects for the
maintenance or repair of homes, grounds, appurtenances, including but not limited to sounds
of lawn mowers, hand power tools, chain saws, and composters between the hours of seven
(7) o'clock in the morning and ten (10) o'clock in the evening. Sounds originating from
construction sites, including but not limited to sounds from construction equipment, power
tools and hammering between seven (7) o'clock in the morning and ten (10) o'clock in the
evening on weekdays and eight (8) o'clock in the morning and nine (9) o'clock in the evening
on weekends shall also be exempt. Such prohibition shall not apply to any public construction
projects, emergency construction or repair by public utility agencies, emergency vehicle
operation or actions by emergency service providers or any other emergency repair and
construction to prevent further damage to persons or property during floods or windstorms or
other property or life-threatening emergencies.

SEC. 7. General Requirements and Restrictions on Noise Level. - The following shall be
the general requirements and restrictions on noise level:

(1) Any public disturbance noise or those noise caused by the use of videoke and sound
amplifying devices or other similar device which is audible to the human ear shall be at a
distance not to exceed seventy (70) feet from the property line of the noise source within any
residential zone.

(2) 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

(3) The most modern, effective and affordable technology shall be used to control noise
emissions.

SEC. 8. Determination of Public Disturbance Noise. - In determining whether a sound is
a public disturbance noise, the following factors incident to such noise are to be considered:

a. Time of the day, proximity to residential structures;

b. Whether the noise is recurrent, intermittent, or constant;


c. The volume and intensity;

d. Whether the noise has been enhanced in volume of range by any types of electronic
or mechanical means;

e. The character and zoning area; and

f. Whether or not the noise is subject to being controlled without unreasonable effort on
the part of the creator thereof.

SEC. 9. Sound Level Measurement Procedure, Criteria and Standards for Violations. —
The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), in coordination and consultation
with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Health
(DOH), Department of Transportation (DOTr), Department of Public Works and Highways
(DPWH), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Science and Technology
(DOST), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Housing and Urban Development
Coordination Council (HUDCC), concerned government and private agencies, and non-
government organizations, shall promulgate the guidelines on the procedure and criteria for
sound level measurement and in determining any violation of this Act.

SEC. 10. Penalties. - Any person(s) who violates the provision of this Act 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.

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 a co-principal.

SEC. 11. Formulation of a Comprehensive Anti-Noise Pollution Program. — The DILG, in
coordination with concerned agencies and private entities, shall formulate a comprehensive
program to minimize public exposure to the harmful physiological and psychological effects of
excessive noise with the end in view of controlling the level of noise pollution in a manner
which promotes health, commerce, the use, value, and enjoyment of property, sleep and
repose, and the quality of the environment.

SEC. 12. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from the
approval of this Act, the Secretary of Interior and Local Government, in consultation and
coordination with appropriate government agencies and other stakeholders, shall promulgate
the necessary implementing rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.

SEC. 13. 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. 14. 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. 15. 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,