The House Committee on Ecology approved in principle two measures on noise abatement and control.
These are House Bill 2516 filed by Iloilo Representative Raul Tupas and HB 3052 by Quezon Representative Angelina Tan.
HB 2516 seeks the creation of the Noise Pollution Control Board to regulate noise pollution.
Meanwhile, HB 3052 seeks to regulate public disturbance noise and the use of videoke or sound-amplifying devices that unreasonably endangers the health, peace, or safety of persons. It prescribes penalties for violations.
In her opening remarks, Committee Chairperson and Zamboanga del Norte Representative Glona Labadlabad said since the abatement of noise has been devolved to local government units (LGUs) by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), each LGU implements its own local ordinances.
Labadlabad said looking at the various regulations carried out by each LGU, there seems to be a lack of details.
Meanwhile, Tupas said in his sponsorship speech that exposure to noise has also been associated with a range of possible physical effects, including colds, changes in blood pressure, other cardiovascular changes, increased doctor/hospital visits, problems with the digestive system, as well as general fatigue.
“The Philippines is among the countries that lack a national policy and regulation to combat noise pollution.”
The legislator said the Philippines is among the countries that lack a national policy and regulation to combat noise pollution due to lack of methods to define and measure it, as well as the difficulty at controlling it.
“Noise is one of the top environmental hazards to both physical and mental health, and well-being of every person.”
Moreover, Tan said her bill resonates across issues and domains of public order and safety, public health, and ecology as it stands on the policy that recognizes noise as one of the top environmental hazards to both physical and mental health, and well-being of every person.
The panel created a technical working group (TWG) to consolidate and harmonize the two bills.
Batanes Representative Ciriaco Gato Jr. and Manila Representative John Marvin Nieto were both assigned to head the TWG.
