The passage of a local ordinance in Dumaguete City addressing anti-noise pollution has incurred delays due to a defective gadget which is vital in its implementation.
The proposed muffler ordinance authored by Councilor Dan Teves Leon and co-authored by Association of Barangay Councils federation president Lionel Banogon seeks to regulate the noise produced by loud mufflers especially during the wee hours in the morning.
Deliberations of the proposed ordinance continue on second reading.
Councilor Teves, however, said, the council cannot proceed with the field test because the decibel meter assigned to the City Health Office needs to be calibrated.
In fact, persons talking casually at a very close distance would already register a very high percentage of sound, which if calibrated can be very damaging already to the ear, he added.
It is unfortunate that all along the uncalibrated gadget has been in use for quite some time, especially on establishments that are producing loud music, such as videoke bars.
In lieu of this, Councilor Leon has recommended to the city mayor’s office for the acquisition of a calibrator so the proposed ordinance can be acted upon with dispatch.
As to the timeline, it all depends on the concerned agency to provide for funds to buy the necessary gadget, Leon said. (PNA)
