The Victims: Truth

by Ramos, Ma. Andrea Erin E.

“Umagang-umaga nabubulabog ako, ang hirap sa totoo lang…”

These were the words of Aleann Yabut, a 20-year-old resident in Poblacion, Pulilan, Bulacan, who happened to experience noise pollution early in the morning.

“Yung sa time ng election grabe yung sakit ng ulo ko dito, kumbaga napuyat na ako sa schoolworks na ginagawa ko, tapos umagang-umaga ang gigising sakin ay yung mga patugtog nila pati yung mga maiingay na motor… ” she said.

During our online interview, I observed she was indeed a victim of Noise Pollution, a prevailing problem here in our community. She reacted quickly and responded spontaneously with the set of questions I was asking on the spot, to which I can conclude how much she was affected by the issue. What caught my attention the most was her response to my question- “do you think it is a must to propose this issue to our barangay?”

“oo, kasi hindi naman laging dapat yung kapaligiran ang ginagawan nila ng solusyon at hinahanapan nila ng problema e, ang cliché na kasi sa totoo lang, paulit ulit yung problemang sinosolve ng barangay natin.”

“laging yung ginagawang kalsada at yung sanitation ang pinagtutuunan nila ng pansin, dapat hindi lang sa paligid ang tinitingnan nila, dapat pati sa tao may pakielam sila, yung nararamdaman natin at yung personal na problema sa kunwari per street ganon.. kaso hindi eh ang hirap pa nilang kapain…” she said.

As the one-on-one interview goes on, we exchange our thoughts regarding this issue. Aleann also mentioned loud vehicles and karaoke and even residents ignoring the curfew set by the barangay. That is why this issue needs to be addressed to the barangay officials to make some moves to achieve more peaceful living and a lesser chaotic environment in Poblacion.

Furthermore, another fellow resident accepted my invitation for an interview. Ms. Elijah Leonardo, a 20-year-old resident of Poblacion. Elijah has her fair share of experiences with the persisting issue.

“hindi naman natin maiiwasan yan, kasi normal na may nagdadaan na mga sasakyan at mga nag kakareoke dahil tradisyon na natin yang mga Pilipino pag merong handaan…” she said.

However, even with that kind of sentiment, she too was sick of the noise pollution. One time, Elijah happened to be a reporter in her class; many vehicles disturbed her speech and aside from that, she cannot concentrate well in online school due to the deafening noise. Regarding this matter, she agreed to raise this proposal to the barangay in order to save or help many online students like her.

“Alam mo kasi Erin, hindi naman lahat tayo may sariling kwarto at malaking lupa na tinitirahan, sa bahay kasi namin, bukod sa maingay manood mga lola ko ng TV, may bata pa, dagdag pa yung mga maiingay na sasakyan sa labas…kaya kahit nasa loob akong kwarto namin, dinig parin yung ingay sa kalsada.” she added.

“hindi naman laging dapat yung kapaligiran ang ginagawan nila ng solusyon at hinahanapan nila ng problema… dapat pati sa tao may pakielam sila.”

Both of my respondents suffer from the consequences caused by Noise Pollution in the community. In fact, with the COVID- 19 pandemic that kept students from going to school, many students and workers did their tasks at home. Yet not everyone prefers that way and still yearning to get back to normal again.

This issue has been brought to the attention of authorities ever since the pandemic started. Online schools and works were bothered by noise pollution. Students and residents alike experience mood swings as the things they are doing are easily disrupted. While some people are not sensitive or careful at all about their surroundings creating more noise that leads to a heated argument among folks in the community.

Moreover, the respondents believe that when this issue was raised in Brgy. Poblacion, many people will get notified and will most definitely save students who study online and parents or freelancers who work from home.

Photo: Patrick Moya

This is my hometown. I have lived for 21 years celebrating fiestas, attending church and schools, and making friends with my fellow residents. As I grew up, I become more of an observant type of person. In my own experiences and from my resident’s responses to this article, Noise Pollution is indeed one of the significant problems in Brgy. Poblacion in Pulilan, Bulacan that need to be addressed.

As a resident in Poblacion, I wrote a consent letter to give it personally in our barangay hall to ask permission if they can allow me to conduct a one-on-one interview with at least one barangay official. As I was waiting for their calls or email, I made something to post on the internet regarding the awareness of Noise Pollution.

Social media is one of the best platforms to distribute news and inform people about our concerns. This post was posted on my Instagram (main) account. I also made it through my Instagram stories and made it one of my “highlights.” So that my followers who might visit my profile will be able to view my stories regarding this matter, I also decided to choose my Instagram account since I have more followers here instead on Facebook.

Unexpectedly, reactions from my followers suddenly burst within 2 minutes. Even the ones that are completely stranger to me also gave a “heart” reaction, which supports my post and Instagram stories.

Unfortunately, a week passed, and the barangay officials ignored my letter. It has been a week, and still, I have not heard anything from them. Every day, I checked my phone and email, but the barangay officials sent no calls or emails.

Noise pollution is one of the sorts of pollution we encounter on a regular basis. Noise pollution, like air pollution, water pollution, soil pollution, and other sorts, has a significant impact on our health. According to the World Health organization, Noise pollution is a severe health concern. A person who is constantly exposed to noise pollution may develop health problems, which can be severe in the long run. In addition, several distracting noises can lead to issues later in life.

Millions of people are affected by noise pollution on a daily basis. The most common health risk associated with noise exposure is hearing loss. This means that loud noise can also cause health issues such as hypertension, heart disease, sleep disruptions, and stress. These health issues affect people of all ages, especially youngsters. According to the WHO, children who live near noisy airports and busy streets have anxiety and other problems such as memory problems, attention difficulties, and literacy challenges.

Among all sections that cause noise pollution- loud vehicles, dog barks, constructions, and karaoke are my two respondents' top most mentioned reasons regarding the issue in Brgy. Poblacion in Pulilan, Bulacan. The three of us agreed to propose the problem to our barangay, but how do we do that when the barangay itself is irresponsive.

With that interview, I hoped to elicit a response from the Barangay in order to shed light on the problem and, ideally, alleviate the concern expressed by my respondents. However, the barangay unit has declined my request for an interview, and no formal response has been given to me as of the time of writing.