The “curfew” on karaoke-singing may soon be a nationwide thing. (Thank the universe!)
Quezon 4th District Rep. Angelina Tan has filed House Bill 1035, which aims to curb noise pollution in residential areas. To be fair, the bill addresses all sorts of noise — but, let’s be honest here, Pinoys looooove their karaokes. There’s always that one neighbor who likes belting out Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You” until midnight.
“HB 1035 complements President Rodrigo Duterte’s policy pronouncement of enforcing a 10pm ban on videoke or karaoke singing. Under the bill, the videoke singing will be banned from 10pm to 7am,” reports Charissa Luci in Manila Bulletin.
In her explanatory note for the bill, Tan pointed out: “One major source of noise among residential areas in the country is the use of videoke/karaoke systems. Everywhere in the Philippines, many local residents or group are accustomed [to] utilizing public streets or roads sides to gain wider area for a private activity or functions, often making use of videoke/karaoke system, amplified audio devices.”
Tan further explained that “noise interferes with sleep, negatively impacts certain kinds of work and can promote high blood pressure and other cardiovascular problems as well as nervous disorders.”
Violators of HB 1035 face a fine of PHP1,000 or 6 months in jail or both.
The report added that “for succeeding offenses, both penalties also apply in addition to the revocation of the license to operate a business.”
