Uproar has heightened against the alleged noise pollution caused by the disco event held in La Paz, Cortes on Jan. 24, 2023 that prompted some people to post their complaints on social media.
These people said that they got bothered by the sound of the music emanating from the disco event – a kind of music that irritated people, not only from the town of Cortes, but also those from nearby Tagbilaran City, and even from some areas in Baclayon. Several people showed discontent over the disco music noise coming from La Paz, Cortes.
As the issue is escalating to a higher level, The Bohol Tribune tried to reach out to La Paz barangay captain Allan Pondoc for his comments on the matter. This newspaper obtained the barangay captain’s number from two sources.
However, the barangay captain was unreacheable for comments until press time. The Bohol Tribune called Pondoc for comments and the former heard the ringing sound of the telephone of the barangay captain when the latter was called. Yet, The Bohol Tribune calls were left unanswered even after many tries. Then, Pondoc’s phone gave a busy tone, then an unreachable status, and finally with no tone at all. The Bohol Tribune remains open to Pondoc for him to air his side of the issue.
The Bohol Tribune also tried calling the mayor of LGU Cortes but the same thing happened. After many unanswered calls, The Bohol Tribune sent the mayor a text message. He answered by saying that he was busy and had several meetings.
After a few hours, The Bohol Tribune called again Mayor Lim but, just the same, no answer was received by the news team. As of this writing, The Bohol Tribune is trying its best to get the side of the mayor but to no avail.
THE UPROAR
Judge Jennifer Chavez-Marcos, the presiding judge of the Regional Trial Court branch 2 based in Tagbilaran City, came out and voiced her discontent over the noise produced by a disco event during a radio interview over Open Forum on Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023.
The interview was about an issue that stemmed from the noise coming from the sound system of the disco event in La Paz, Cortes which has bothered some residents reaching areas in Tagbilaran City and even in Baclayon. The disco event was held for two nights.
Prior to the interview, the judge went to social media to air her discontent. In the radio interview, Judge Marcos expressed her plans and the plans of other people affected by the noise, to file legal action to those responsible in creating too much noise which has annoyed a lot of people.
In her post, Chavez-Marcos said that she is contemplating on filing a complaint against the local government unit (LGU) and the owner of the sound system used in the disco for “DAMAGES”. She urged duly instituted bodies to impose any ordinance related to noise pollution in order to stop any loud disco music.
The judge said that there are lawyers who were also bothered by the excessive noise for 2 nights. She then challenged the Bohol chapter of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) to consider possible cases to be filed against those responsible for the alleged noise pollution.
“This will be the norm if we will not do anything about this [noise pollution],” the judge said in her post.
In the radio interview, the judge understands that people celebrate fiestas as part of their religion as Roman Catholics. As such, in the celebration of fiestas, there are disco events which can be noisy. However, the noise generated by the disco in La Paz reached a level that annoyed or disturbed a lot of people even beyond the town of Cortes where La Paz is located.
“Naay mga akong kaila nga [taga] Camella [Homes in barangay Booy ug miingon nga], niabot na [ang sound] ug Camella ug kanang Baclayon; just imagine the intensity sa noise,” the judge narrated.
Her children who were preparing for an examination were unable to properly study due to the noise emanating from the disco in La Paz, Cortes.
The judge revealed that there was a comment that she read in relation to the disco saying that those who complained about the noise are “GORS”, a slang word for old people.
She added that the people at the disco expressed their desire to get their money’s worth as far as payment of the sound system was concerned. This was why the activity went on until 2 in the morning.
HEALTH HAZARD
Chavez-Marcos pointed out that noise is a health hazard based on an article she read online.
She pointed out, further, that the noise levels allowed by a Tagbilaran ordinance is about 75 decibels only. This means that the sound level beyond the limit is already a threat to health.
FUTURE MOVES
The judge said that there is a need to determine first who is responsible in organizing the disco event that caused the noise. Then, it is possible that a class suit may be filed against those responsible for the noise pollution coming from the disco activity at La Paz, Cortes.
The judge said that the LGU should have been responsible in keeping the noise at tolerable levels.
OTHER REACTIONS
Leah Tirol Magno, a businesswoman and a member of the academe, gave her opinion on the matter concerning the noise coming from the disco in La Paz, Cortes.
She posted: “Hahahaahaha. Nag tuk-tugaok na ang mga manok, 1:10 a.m. na pero, biliba, nag sige pa gihapon ug lagubo ang disco sound sa La Paz, Cortes, Bohol!”
She added: “Post pud mo ug pictures taken anang disco ninyo nga perti ka banha beh, tan-aw ko ug maklaro naba ang mga sungay.”
Tirol-Magno asked for police assistance regarding the annoying noise coming from the disco but was told: “Dugay pana sila mahuman maam kay suliton. Dako man sila ug gasto anang sound system. Kamo maam, ug mag pista diay sa inyo, wala ba diay poy pa-disco?”
Moreover, Tirol-Magno wrote a post addressed to Tagbilaran bishop Alberto Uy asking first if the prelate had a good sleep despite the noise coming from the disco at La Paz. The post addressed to the bishop also said that a fiesta is a religious celebration and she hopes the Church would not allow bothering people by holding this kind of a celebration which is not aligned to proper decorum or attitude.
She further explained that while she is not opposed to disco events, such activity should not be permitted beyond 12 midnight and the sound shouldn’t be too loud. She explained that being a person with disability due to a delicate heart condition, rest or sleep is important to her. But for two (2) nights, she was deprived of such rest and sleep due to the loud sound of the music from the disco event at La Paz, Cortes, Bohol.
She asks people not to bash her for speaking against the disco noise because the loud sound already bothered a lot of people.
Tirol said: “i am not attacking certain or specific individuals. It is unfair to bash me. I always fight for what I think is right, especially if it affects many.”
Meanwhile, a reaction post from the bishop reads: “Daghan ang kulang sa tulog duha na ka gabii tungod sa naghinobra kakusog nga sounds sa disco. Pwede ba hinayan og gamay?”