Angeles City bans loud videoke, karaoke
ANGELES CITY—In this Pampanga city, one cannot sing Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” and other popular ditties in videoke or karaoke machines at any time or place loudly.
Be wary because the city council has passed Ordinance No. 366 to “protect residents from discomfort and disturbances posed by the unregulated use of videoke and amplified sounds, especially during the wee hours of the morning.”
The ordinance, also known as the “Videoke machines and similar electronics devices regulation ordinance of Angeles City,” was passed in response to two complaints filed with the council, said proponent Councilor Edgardo Pamintuan Jr. last week.
Under the ordinance, users need to secure a permit from the barangay (village) council three days before an occasion, agree to limit the volume to only 90 decibels (approximating sound generated by trucks) and commit to hold an event up to 10 p.m.
The city government bought a decibel measuring device, which is due for delivery in two weeks, Pamintuan said. The council unanimously approved the ordinance.
A practical way of determining noise, according to the ordinance, is this: “Any sound emanating from a videoke or karaoke machine being used that can still be heard after a distance of at least 50 feet from the source is considered noisy and beyond the allowable volume.”
Fines range from P1,000 to P5,000 and prison term of six months.
The ordinance bans the setting up and use of videoke and karaoke machines within 200 meters of churches, religious sites, schools and hospitals. It exempted local government-sponsored and organized events from getting permits.
Entertainment businesses were required by the law to provide “effective soundproofing of their establishments to maintain the tolerable noise level outside their establishments.”
Businesses have stiffer penalties—a P500 fine a day after the compliance deadline set by the local government, business suspension for seven days or revocation of business permit. Tonette Orejas, Inquirer Central Luzon
