Village residents complain of noise pollution in Mabolo

CEBU, Philippines - Residents of a subdivision in Barangay Mabolo have filed a complaint before the barangay hall against a construction firm whose construction project is allegedly affecting the serenity of their village at night.

Emilio Luga, one of the affected residents of Casals Village, said that their serene neighborhood had been disturbed by the noise pollution coming from the 24-hour operation of Big Bu’s Construction.

In his complaint before Barangay Captain Reynaldo Ompoc, Luga said the on going construction of a seven-storey building near their village has disturbed their sleep at night.

Ompoc said he already summoned the contractor engineer Benito Abancinia to inform him about the existing City Ordinance 309 or the Anti-Noise Ordinance.

During the meeting last Friday, Abancinia agreed to stop the 24-hour operation. The contractor allegedly promised that they will begin the construction at 6:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.

“Nagkasinabot naman sila nga dili na mag twenty four hours ang ilang pag-construct aron dili na makadisturbo sa mga nagpuyo,” Ompoc said.

The Cebu City Council already called on the Association of Barangay Councils to strictly implement the city’s anti-noise ordinance especially during fiestas.

The council said there is the high probability of noise permeating the evenings, especially during fiesta season because the celebration is often accompanied by the customary nightly discos.

The City Council reminded the barangay officials that playing loud music violates City Ordinance No. 309 or the Anti-Noise Ordinance.

ABC president Michael Ralota agreed saying that there is a need to adopt a sort of “balancing act” because while there should be merrymaking during fiesta season, loud deafening sounds “should be tempered at 12 midnight so as not to unduly cause public disturbance.”

He said discos and any other activities that utilize deafening sounds not only cause general public disturbance but specifically cause sleepless nights on the part of the older members of the community.(FREEMAN NEWS)