Monday, October 30, 2006 Taxpayer wants to stop noise By Linette C. Ramos Sun.Star Staff Reporter
LOUD music played inside vehicles and overly sensitive car alarms are irking a Cebu City taxpayer. And he is appealing to City Hall to stop the noise, literally.
In a letter addressed to the City Council, a certain Alvin John Osmeña asked city officials to address the recurring problem on noise, which he said bothers him wherever he is.
He said he has repeatedly expressed his concern through the forum on the Cebu City Government website, but his questions remain unanswered.
Osmeña, a regular online forum user, also asked the councilors to check at least two discussion boards in the City’s website at least once a day so they can be updated on public concerns.
“I think I have read all the complaints and comments and know that only a few are taken care of...I pay a yearly property tax of P72,000 and more for my business permit and other fees. I would like, at least, to have my complaints noted and my questions answered,” he said.
Noted
The council noted the contents of Osmeña’s letter, which was included in the agenda of last Wednesday’s regular session.
Among other forms of noise, Osmeña asked city officials to find ways to silence all motor vehicles that don’t have mufflers.
He also asked them to do something about the loud music played inside motor vehicles carrying huge speakers and subwoofers.
Osmeña further complained about car alarms that are too sensitive and those that continuously go off, and air movement machinery in malls that don’t have intake air silencers.
The council should also pay attention to air conditioning units that are defective, and bazaars, appliance stores and emporiums that play music too loudly at the mercy of passersby, he said.
“What is the law or ordinance regarding this? What might the council do to regulate noise and implement regulation?” he asked.
Complaints
In January last year, Councilors Augustus Pe Jr. and Jose Daluz III pushed for the strict implementation of City Ordinance 1940, or the Cebu City Anti-Noise Ordinance after the Office of the Mayor received numerous complaints.
Aside from placing the video karaoke machine in an enclosed place and allowing its use only between 7 p.m. and 5 a.m., the ordinance also requires operators to use sound reduction devices.
“It appears that Ordinance 1940 is sufficient in itself but there’s lack of enforcement, as indicated by the complaints we have been getting from almost all barangay captains,” Daluz had said.
