Mabolo residents complain vs noise

CEBU, Philippines - Residents of Casals Village in Barangay Mabolo have complained anew against a contractor of a construction company for its failure to follow the conditions agreed upon over violation of Cebu City Anti-Noise Ordinance.

This is less than five days after Engr. Benito Avancenia, the owner of the construction company – the Bia Buzz Construction General Services, promised the residents represented by Emilio Luga Jr., that their construction work will start at 7 in the morning and end at 6:00 in the evening.

The residents of the subdivision complained before the barangay hall of Mabolo against Bia Buz Construction whose project is allegedly affecting the serenity of their village at nights.

Luga said that their neighborhood had been disturbed by the noise pollution coming from the 24-hour operation of Bia Buz Construction.

But after their agreement at the barangay, Luga said, in his addendum complaint filed before the barangay hall, that the firm did not follow their agreement.

“The accused person (Benito Avancenia) seems to have no respect and do not recognize the government authorities,” Luga said, adding that the firm disrespected government authorities for disregarding their agreement.

Luga again reminded the company about City Ordinance 309 or the Anti-Noise Ordinance but Avancenia did not stop their operation.

Luga said they are suffering from the unwanted sounds from the construction activities, like hammering, dropping of heavy metals and materials and the shouting of workers up to 12:00 midnight.

“This ordinance was passed to be implemented by all, primarily to tell the general populace that they should bear in mind that everyone deserves to have a quite and peaceful neighborhood,” he said.

The Cebu City Council called on the Association of Barangay Councils to strictly implement the city’s anti-noise ordinance especially during fiestas.

The council said there is the high probability of noise permeating the evenings, especially during fiesta season, because the celebration is often accompanied by the customary nightly discos.

Luga and the contractor are expected to face each other this afternoon at the barangay hall to settle their conflict. If they cannot come up with an agreement, the conflict will be brought to the attention of the Cebu City Council. –/JPM (FREEMAN)