BAGUIO CITY – The City Council approved an ordinance amending pertinent provisions of Ordinance No. 17, series of 2008, that also amended Ordinance No. 112, series of 1988, to expand the coverage of the installation of sound proof devices in covered establishments.
Ordinance No. 112, series of 1988, required folk dens, folk houses, disco pubs, night clubs and other similar establishments where live music is played as part of the entertainment or attraction near, beside or adjacent to hotels, inns and residential houses to install and provide sound proof devices or noise absorbers and similar facilities to minimize, lessen and decrease the volume of the sound coming therefrom.
Under the proposed amendatory ordinance, all folk houses, folk dens, disco pubs and other similar establishments which employ paying band, combo or singers or utilizes karaoke, organ or other similar instruments producing excessive noise are hereby required to install and provide sound proof devices or noise absorbers and similar facilities to minimize and lessen or decrease the volume of the sound coming therefrom.
The ordinance adds that compliance to the said provision must be done by the owner of the establishment herein within one month after the effectivity of the proposed city legislative measure
According to the proposal, the required facilities must have already been installed in new business establishments before they are actually open for business.
Failure of the owners and managers of establishments to comply with the pertinent provisions of the proposed city legislative measure shall, upon inspection, make the owner, operator, and manager liable for imprisonment and/or fine upon the discretion of the court, first offense – 10 days imprisonment or a fine of P1,000 or both, second offense – 15 days imprisonment or a fine of P2,000 or both and third and subsequent offenses – 60 days imprisonment or fine of P3,000 or both.
The ordinance warranted the creation of an inspection team that shall be composed of the City Health Services Officer/–Chairperson with the members, particularly, City Permits and Licensing Officer, City Treasury Office representative; Public Order and Safety Division (POSD) head, City Mayor’s representative, City Building and Architecture Office representative and City Environment and Parks Management Office preventative.
The city legislative body noted that its research division conducted a legislative monitoring evaluation of Ordinance No. 112, series of 1988, as amended by Ordinance No. 17, series of 2008, and consequently, there were recommendations to expand the membership of the inspection team to include CBAO and CEPMO among others.
The City Health Services recommended for the inclusion of the DBAO and CEPMO as members of the inspection team because the said offices and personnel have the expertise on building or structure requirements and the appropriate equipment to measure noise levels.
The ordinance was referred to the concerned committee of the city legislative body for study and recommendation.
By Dexter A. See