Condo owners want loudspeakers banned

CEBU, Philippines - Residents of Citylights Gardens in Barangay Apas are asking the city government to ban the use of loudspeakers at night so as not to disrupt the “peaceful environment” thereat.

In a letter to City Hall, the resident said that if residents in the surrounding areas want to hold benefit dances or discos, they should do so in a manner that would not disturb those not taking part in the activities.

“If the citizens really want these so called benefit dances and discos, they could hold them inside sound proof enclosures, with smaller speakers aimed to the audience, not to the neighborhood,” the letter reads.

Copies of the letter were sent to Mayor Michael Rama, Vice Mayor Augustus Young and all city councilors.

Citylights Gardens is composed of four condominiums built atop a hill just adjacent to the Marco Polo Plaza Hotel.

The resident said the series of benefit dances in different communities surrounding the condominiums have caused them sleepless nights. Sometimes, they were reportedly forced to leave their units and sleep in hotels instead.

“Even if we closed our windows, the boom, boom, boom still reverberated through the walls and it was not possible to sleep,” the letter reads.

The signatories said many condominium owners have opposed the benefit dances, but chose to remain silent because they know that these events also contribute to the income of the barangay. Some are also reportedly afraid to get the ire of the organizers if they openly oppose the activities.

“But everyone knows that loud music is not healthy, particularly to the old ones, who may have medical problems. Many persons have to go to work with little sleep,” the letter reads.

“This very monotonous noise is not traditional. It has only been around as long as the cheap speakers have been there for rent. It is only in the Philippines where you can buy and use these big loud speakers because these are banned in other countries,” it reads further.

The City Council has referred the complaint to the committee on peace and order for appropriate action. —(FREEMAN)