Relief for residents near airports

Good news to those residing near airports who have to bear the noise of various aircraft on a daily basis.

Sen. Manny Villar has filed a bill that intends to protect residents from the harmful noise emitted by airplanes.

"At present there is no law which prescribes a uniform system for noise impact at airports," said Villar in filing a proposed law that will set specific standards for noise limits and reduction.

Villar points out that such "noise pollution," aside from being a disturbance to those residing near airports, who has also been shown to cause deafness to those who are constantly expose to high noise levels.

The bill, entitled the "Aviation Noise Limit Act" defines an "hourly average sound level" which may not exceed 6 decibels above the background sound level for such one-hour period.

Furthermore, it sets a maximum sound level that must be followed. Sound levels must not exceed 70 decibels during daytime, and 55 decibels during night-time hours.

Villar’s measure will require the Air Transportation Office (ATO) to develop a medium term plan to reduce noise by considering various methods of sound reduction including sound-proofing, relocation incentives, use of quieter aircraft, operations restriction and revision of air routes, among others.

"The bottom line of this bill is to lessen harmful exposure to aircraft noise of residents of airports," stressed Villar. "Such a nuisance has affected the quality of life of those who have to cope with such noise," he added.