Mandaue city authorities are urging the public to report videoke bars which create too much noise.
City Administrator James Abadia said a city ordinance already regulates commercial video karaoke but a citizen has to complain first before the city can take action.
“We need to have a complainant for us to know about the videoke houses and its details,” he said.
Abadia said the city has been regularly inspecting videoke bars to make sure they comply with the ordinance.
A citizen can file complaint with the City Legal Office.
Under City Ordinance No. 12-2011-663, a commercial videoke machine must be inside an establishment to mitigate the effects of the sound.
Owners must also install sound reduction devices to absorb the sound.
The sound must be within the average hearing range of 90 to 93 decibels . The visual display that accompanies the song must not be obscene or pornographic.
Videoke bars are only allowed to operate from Sunday to Thursday between 8 a.m. and 12 midnight and Friday to Saturday from 8 a.m.to 1 a.m.
First time violators will be fined P500.
A second offense carries a fine of P1,000 while a third offense draws a P2,000 fine and confiscation of videoke machines. /CORRESPONDENT JUCELL MARIE P. CUYOS