A barangay in Silang, Cavite banned singing in videoke on Mondays to Fridays, as its noise allegedly disturb online classes of students.
“Unang Hirit” reported on Wednesday that the ordinance stemmed from the complaints of students that the videoke is noisy every time they take an online class.
According to the ordinance, videoke can only be used on weekends, from 6 am to 6 pm, according to the Barangay Biluso chairman.
Aside from videoke, live bands, roving sound systems, and other amplified audio devices are also banned on weekdays.
A labor group is also pushing for a videoke ban, so those who are working from home and attending online classes would not be disturbed amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
Associated Labor Unions (ALU) – Trade Union Congress of the Philippines spokesperson Alan Tanjusay explained that videoke noise is a disturbance for those studying or working online.
“Bawas stress din ang matahimik na lugar sa mga manggangawa at mga online students and teachers dahil hirap na nga silang makakuha ng signal… Ay dadagdagan pa ng ingay ng videoke o karaoke kaya malaking tulong po ang ganitong panukala,” he said.
Due to the restricted movement of people to prevent the spread of COVID-19, many are taking online classes or working from home.
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Barangay in Cavite bans videoke, loud music on weekdays
The Cavite provincial government had earlier said that night-time videoke would be considered a violation of curfew hours.
“Sorry po ngunit kahit sabihin ninyo pang kayo ay nasa loob naman ng inyong tahanan, ang ingay na dulot nito ay maituturing na labag na sa tinakdang curfew hours,” said Cavite Governor Jonvic Remulla.
In May 2018, a House of Representatives committee filed a bill to impose a videoke ban in the Philippines.
Authored by Congresswoman Angelina Tan, the bill aims to crack down on noise pollution caused by sound-amplifying equipment in residential areas.
Under the bill playing or operating or permitting either action of any radio, CD player, television set, amplified musical instrument, loudspeaker, videoke or karaoke system, or other sound-amplifying equipment shall only be allowed from 8 am until 10 pm.