Pass ordinances banning videoke, other noisy activities amid online learning, LGUs told

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Wednesday urged local government units to enact ordinances that will prohibit videoke sessions and other distracting activities so that online learners would not be disturbed.

In a statement, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año explained that loud sounds during online class hours and independent study periods could disturb students in doing their school activities.

“Bilang mga disiplinado at responsableng mga magulang at mamamayan, tulungan natin ang ating mga estudyante na mabigyan ng tahimik at payapa na kapaligiran para sila ay makapag-aral ng mabuti sa kani-kanilang mga tahanan,” Año said.

The DILG is supporting the call of Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Camilo Pancratius Cascolan for barangay officials to come up with resolutions that will ban noisy activities in communities, including videoke.

Año further called on localities to ban activities such as cockfighting, bingo, betting stations, drinking sprees, and other forms of noisy activities. He said students are still adjusting with the blended learning scheme amid the pandemic.

He also urged vehicle owners to avoid unnecessary blowing of their car horns during school hours as this practice could also distract learners.

“Security, safety, and other measures that the PNP used to implement for the schools should be expanded to include the entire barangay as part of the expanded learning space amid the continued threat of COVID-19," Año said. — Anna Felicia Bajo/RSJ, GMA News