EDITORIAL - The old noise

According to a story in this newspaper, a comprehensive anti-noise ordinance is getting the support of the Cebu City Council's Committee on Environment, Natural Resources, and Energy.

However, it also wants some provisions clarified to avoid confusion and ensure consistent enforcement.

As mentioned in the story, among the committee's main concerns are the proposed noise standards, which currently use decibel ranges rather than a single enforceable limit.

We think this is a good idea. Noise doesn’t have to reach the harmful levels on a decibel meter to be considered bothersome or disruptive. Also, not all of us carry around decibel meters.

Although some sound decibel apps are available to download on our cellphones and other gadgets, there might still be accuracy issues depending on the kind of app provided and the distance between the noise and the cellphone.

Law enforcers shouldn’t need not wait for volume to reach a certain level on a meter before they can apprehend violators.

We also like to mention that even as the proposed and comprehensive anti-noise ordinance is being put forward, there are still problems enforcing the old one, City Ordinance No. 309 as amended to include Ordinance No. 2606.

To put it simply, there are still people who get away with being too loud too far into the night. We are talking about people who sing karaoke in their homes, hold loud impromptu parties or gatherings in their neighborhood, or just talk loudly and behave rudely because they are already drunk.

And some people who are supposed to be implementing the anti-noise ordinance are often reluctant to enforce the law.

We understand their hesitation. It’s usually because they want to maintain smooth interpersonal relationships with the noisemakers, who are oftentimes neighbors they are personally or closely familiar with, if not actual members of their own family.

This goes without saying that even if a new and comprehensive anti-noise ordinance is set to be implemented soon, if those who are supposed to enforce the law still have hesitation to do so then it will still serve no purpose.