May 10, 2011

Dear Sir/ Madam, 1:45 am, I am here now at dead of night awakened by the loud karaoke operated by a business just across the street. I live at 39 M.L. Quezon Street Lower Bicutan, Taguig Metro Manila; I am a Filipino citizen, a student and a concerned member of a family of 5. The business across the street (54 M.L. Quezon Street, Lower Bicutan Taguig, Metro Manila) has been going on for the last 2-3 years and I am amazed at how the government has allowed such business to continue its operations considering several building and business regulations/laws it has violated. Our area is predominantly residential houses and having a business operate at the dead of night creating such a ruckus is deleterious to the health and well being of the people in our area. The noise coming from the karaoke reaches a very wide distance and could penetrate our thin walls. I could not speak for my neighbours but I think that they too are affected by the same problem. I speak in the point of view of a student, a brother, a son and a neighbour when I give these opinions. I see that the noises ability to wake me up in the dead of night might also be the same case to my siblings, that with everything that s happening in school is faced with the additional stress of having to be awakened by the noise caused by the business across the street. The stress has been reflected with several arguments I had with my father and short jibes with the neighbours. I could only cite a number of laws I know that currently is violated by the business across the street, for now these are the only laws I could recall but with several future revisions I could provide a much more detailed account of violations: I think the business across the street violates the law on easement of property. The noise created overreaches to our property and causes deleterious effects to us. The Civil Code for that matter is also violated when you consider Article 19, 20, and 21 of Human relations. Everything that purports to doing what is good to others is violated by the business across the street. The 1987 Constitution is also violated particularly the Bill of rights which declares that a Filipino citizen has the right to life, liberty and property. Life and well being are affected. Also property because rest/sleep, I think can be classified as a form of property.

May 10, 2011

Considering that our area is a residential area, I think that operating such business violates several building, zonal and business regulations. The operation of a karaoke without sufficient sound proofing, I think, could not have been included in the business permit issued by the government.

I would like to make it clear that I have nothing against Karaoke, for I too sometimes indulge in such entertainment and I think that it relieves stress in a way. But operating a un-soundproofed Karaoke, primarily in a residential area, at the dead of night, and with drunkards about I think violates my right as a Filipino citizen. There really is a time and place for everything and the Karaoke business next door is no exception. I suggest any of the following measures to remedy the nuisance business across the street: Sound-proof the Karaoke establishment or, Revoke its business permit and permanently shut the business down.

I humbly ask your good office to look upon this matter. If there is anything that you need further please don t hesitate to contact me at 0916-5788056.

Sincerely, Jerico D. Salenga Concerned citizen

P.S. I would attach a cell-phone video I ve recorded shortly after being awakened by the noise outside.