EVERY now and then, the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Angeles City comes up with an ordinance with meaningful connotation and impact.
The latest issuance concerns the restricted "use of videoke, karaoke and similar audio devices in certain areas within the city, including residential, public roads and spaces".
City Ordinance No. 366, Series of 2015 mandates that users of music devices should first secure a permit from the barangay at least three days before the occasion and must limit the volume of the machines of up to a maximum of 90 decibels and up to 10 pm only.
How much is 90 decibels? In places where drinking sessions are held in commemoration of birthdays or simple get-togethers devices are played too loud for eardrums to bear, for neighbors to ogle and appreciate the new but loud and irritating devices. It is in our culture that we are showoffs, after all.
The same ordinance answers what is tolerable, thus "any sound emanating from a videoke or karaoke machine being used that can still be heard at a distance of at least 50 feet from the source is considered noisy and beyond allowable volume".
What are the sanctions? Violators will be first issued warnings and will be advised to lower the volume. Repeated violations or succeeding warnings will make a person pay a fine ranging from P1,000 to P5,000 and/or imprisonment of up to six months.
The ordinance is well-meaning and sensible but in reality, it may not be followed, knowing the Filipino psyche.
In my place, residents are videoke and karaoke fanatics. Birthdays are often observed with these machines, which are mandatory. It is aptly called Masayahin Street and celebrators may forego the food, but not the videoke and karaoke machines.
* * *
The Department of Trade and Industry has an SME roving academy for Central Luzon. It conducts regular training sessions to help small and medium enterprises in Bulacan with 36 training sessions, followed by Pampanga with 31, Tarlac-22; Nueva Ecija-20; Bataan-20; Zambales-14 and Aurora-9. About 3,800 SMEs (small and medium sized enterprises) are
expected to benefit from these training sessions.
The push to enhance the capability of SMEs by DTI is a positive sign to develop these small enterprises as a force and engines of growth. Regional Director 3 Judith Angeles is at the helm of these activities.
* * *
Bodybuilders will be given exposure on July 19, via the Pangan-Guong-Cifra bodybuilding and fitness training seminar at Jade Hall, Xevera, Tabun, Mabalacat City. Speakers for the event are: Gerald Pangan, Fitness Personal Trainer, Kuwait; Ariel Guong, Oxygen Fitness Trainer, Kuwait, John Andrew Cifra, Oxygen Fitness Trainer, Kuwait Team and Sam Malit, Fitness Personal Trainer/Consultant, Kuwait. This will be a big boost for Mabalacat tourism and Guy Hilbero will be consulted about this activity.