CAVITE - The provincial government has totally banned the use of videoke and karaoke at any time of the day.
Provincial Ordinance No. 304-2020 previously limited the use of videoke, karaoke, and other amplified audio devices to 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
However, Governor Jonvic Remulla announced on July 7 that the restriction will be implemented 24/7.
"I will make sure na ‘yung mga pulis natin ay activated as gabi - hindi pala sa gabi - 24/7 bawal na ang maingay na videoke (I will make sure that the police is activated at night - actually, not only at night - 24/7, noisy videoke is not allowed anymore)," Remulla said.
The move was a welcome development for residents working from home and students with online classes. But for videoke owners who rent out their units like Rootchss Rosal, the ordinance means lost income.
"Dapat may magre-rent kahapon. Wala na, sinabi kong bawal na. Wala naman kaming magagawa, eh kung mahuli pa ‘yun. (Someone was supposed to rent it yesterday. I said it's not allowed anymore. We can't do anything about it, what if they get caught)," Rosal told the Manila Bulletin on Tuesday (July 13).
According to the Imus resident, the monthly average of P3,000 she used to earn from videoke rentals was enough to cover their electric and water bills.
"Stock lang sa bahay, hihintayin ulit kung kelan pwede. Sana ibalik na lang hanggang alas otso. (We'll just keep it at home, we'll wait until it's allowed again. I hope they allow it even with a limit of 8 p.m.)," she added.
Riza Salonga, a teacher in Tanza, also owns a videoke but uses it only for personal recreation.
Due to the ordinance, however, Salonga has put the videoke up for sale and interested buyers outside Cavite have already inquired.
"Nakakapagtanggal ng stress ng family namin at libangan na rin kasi hindi naman kami palalabas ng bahay (It's a stress-reliever for our family and a way to keep us entertained because we don't get out very often," Salonga told the Manila Bulletin.
"Benta na lang kaysa masira kasi hindi na nagagamit (We'll sell it instead of letting it give out because we're not using it anymore)."