Boracay bans noise, partying on Good Friday

No one is exempt from toning down the energy on Holy Week—not even on the Philippines' own party island.

The beaches of Boracay will be subject to a No Noise, No Party policy beginning 6 a.m. on Good Friday until 6 p.m. on Black Saturday, according to a report by Nelson Canlas on "Saksi" on Wednesday.



For some individuals, that's just fine. Some suggest playing love songs and mellow tunes instead of rock music.

“I think this island is very loud anyway, and if once in a year, they stop the music for...Good Friday, which is a sad day in Christianity, then I think that's okay,” said Viktor, owner of Boracay's Kalinga Bar.

How it works

“The moment you generate noise and there will be complainants...masu-subject kayo to investigation,” said Boracay Redevelopment Task Force secretariat head Maybelle Bacani.

If a complaint is submitted, the noise will be measured accordingly. The maximum volume allowed is 50 decibels—slightly below the decibel level of normal conversation, according to the US National Institutes of Health.

“May decibel readers ang mga Malayang Auxiliary Police,” said Bacani. “In the event na may nagco-complain, na-me-measure po 'yan, eh.”

Punishments for individuals range from warnings to fines mounting up to P2,500. Repeat offenders will have their audio equipment confiscated and may be jailed for up to 10 days.

Offending establishments will get their mayor's permit canceled.

Meanwhile, in the Summer Capital

Tourists are expected to flock to Baguio City on Wednesday—indeed, some 5,000 rooms in accredited hotels have already been booked. That's not counting transient houses and convents.

“Lumalabas sila para ma-enjoy yung natural weather ng Baguio, kung saan malamig,” said Baguio City Tourism Officer Benny Alhambra. “So usually, pag pinupuntahan mo yung mga churches, nandiyan sila, doing their Stations of the Cross and their meditations and prayers.”

The police are on full alert, guarding the tourist attractions and manning traffic. Medical and motorist assistance booths have been set up all over.

“Kung mas maraming tao, mas marami din yung probability na tumaas ang kriminalidad,” said Senior Superintendent Rolando Miranda. “Kaya lang, yung ginawa natin dito sa BCPO as early as Saturday night, we have been conducting anti-criminality operations.” — Vida Cruz/BM, GMA News