Cebu City Council amends Anti-Noise Ordinance to prohibit karaoke use during MGCQ

CEBU CITY, Philippines — The use of sound systems and karaoke machines that will cause loud noise will already be prohibited in residential areas in Cebu City from Mondays to Saturdays and while the city remains under a state of public health emergency.

Said prohibition was approved on third reading during the City Council’s session on Wednesday, January 27, 2021, as an amendment to the city’s Anti-Noise Ordinance.

Violators will be asked to pay fines ranging from P1, 000 to P5, 0000 or be imprisoned for not more than six months.

Copies of the approved amendatory ordinance sponsored by Councilor Raymond Alvin Garcia were released to reporters on Saturday, January 30.

Garcia said the amendment was necessary since many of the students are taking online classes or enrolled in distance learning and many of the employees are now working from home.

“For the preservation of public peace and order and to provide a conducive learning and working atmosphere for the residents of the City of Cebu it is imperative that loud noises must be curbed,” Garcia said.

The approved ammendatory ordinance, prohibits the use of karaokes and sound systems for singing and the playing of loud music from Mondays to Saturdays.

While music-loving Cebuanos are allowed to use their karaoke machines or sound systems on Sundays, this can only be done until 6 p.m.

Disregard of the ordinance will result to payment of fines ranging from P1, 000 to P3, 000 and/or imprisonment of not more than six months depending on the discretion of the court.

Multiple violations would result to the payment of the P5,000 fine and/or imprisonment of not more than six months.

Garcia is asking Cebuanos to cooperate with the city government.  He said there is a need for Cebuanos to adjust to the new normal because many city residents now study and work from home as a result of the pandemic. / dcb