The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Wednesday urged the local government units (LGUs0 to pass ordinances that will ban the playing of videoke machines and other distracting noises during the holding of online classes.
DILG Secretary Eduardo Año made this call as millions of students are now undergoing the blended learning system amidst the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
He said that loud noises during online class hours and independent study periods “can distract pupils and students alike from concentrating on their online classes, schoolwork, and other activities now that every home in the country has been turned into an extension of the school.’’
“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 (As responsible and disciplined parents and citizens, let us provide our students with a conducive learning environment to ensure that they get the best education in the comfort of their homes),” Año said.
Año’s directive is in support of a similar order issued by Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Police General Camilo Pancratius Cascolan for unit commanders and chiefs of police “to coordinate with their respective LGUs to either enact or modify their existing local ordinances against the use of videoke and other activities that create unnecessary noise that will disturb the students in their study at home.”
The DILG chief said it is already hard enough for students to adjust from normal classroom sessions to distance and blended learning without being distracted by the noise coming from the neighborhood.
Likewise, Año urged vehicle owners to avoid the unnecessary blowing of their horns during school hours as these will also distract the learners.’
Aside from videoke parties, Año also urged the LGUs to prohibit “noisy illegal gambling activities like tupada, bingo, betting stations, drinking sprees, and other forms of loud noises to avoid disturbing students and to prevent mass gatherings that may lead to community transmission of the COVID-19 virus.’’
The DILG chief added that the “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 continuing threat of COVID-19.”
Año said students are still barred from going to computer shops to avoid being disturbed by those who are playing noisy computer games.