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EXCESSIVE noise in the city of San Juan is now
considered as pollution. A new ordinance bans and categorizes motor
vehicles, sound systems and equipment, among others, classified as
pollutants.
The ordinance, “Antipollution
Ordinance of San Juan,” addresses the noise pollution caused by
motor vehicles and machines that are “believed to be harmful to
health and welfare of city residents.”
The ordinance, authored by
Councilor Dante Santiago, defines noise pollution as belonging to
“unwanted human-created sounds that disrupts the environment”
and emitted sporadically or over a period of time. The dominant form
of noise pollution are derived from transportation or motor
vehicles, sound systems, equipment, tools, apparatus, machinery and
the like.
Santiago said numerous complaints
have been aired against public utility vehicles (PUVs) blowing their
horns and playing amplified music even late at night and sometimes
gatherings where loud music is usually played.
“These activities causes undue
disturbance to many residents who are entitled to much needed rest
at night,” said Santiago.
He stressed that the ordinance
contains general prohibition against making noise that is a nuisance
and provides specific guidelines for the level of noise allowable at
certain times of the day or night for certain activities.
Excessive playing of amplified
music, car horns are not allowed just as noise from any house,
garden, or yard, from 10 pm to 8 am is also prohibited.
A warning notice must be served
to any person responsible for the noise.
Exempted from the order are
vehicles used for patrol by the police, and emergencies.
--Francis Earl A. Cueto
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