Reason and Concern

By Ronquillo C. Tolentino

Revival of the Con-con Bill

For the noise of some congressmen in the halls of Congress often-times amounting to all sound of fury signifying nothing, some congress-men have shown aversion to noise produced by motor vehicles in residential areas either at night and in the early morning hours.

Authored by nine congressmen led by President’s son, Rep. Diosdado Arroyo, the bill intends to penalize motorist who (sic) "unreasonably" accelerate their car engines or blow their horns in non-commercial districts.

The bill’s explanatory note stresses the harmful effect of noise pollution to one’s hearing.　 The author also emphasizes that noisy driving can also cause lack of sleep and the stress that it brings, let alone high blood pressure, cardio-vascular problems and nervous disorders.

The explanatory note further states: "Any noise appreciably louder than talking can damage the delicate hair cells in the cochlea, the structure in the inner ear that converts sound waves into auditory nerve signals.　 The initial damage to the cochlea maybe temporary, but with repeated exposure, the damage becomes permanent.　 Even at levels below those that cause hearing loss, noise pollution produces other problems."

For the problems that noise pollution generates, this bill should be supported by environmentalists and local government units.

Not with I told-you-so did I write that the Con-con bill shall be revived, nay, resurrected.　 When nobody was looking and everybody just enjoyed the holidays came the news that House Bill No. 6975 has been given priority by President Arroyo’s allies.　 There may be negative views that House Bill No. 6975 shall pass reckoned the working days of Congress from January 18, 2010 to February 5, 2010.　 But it cannot be said that it may not be calendared for second reading.

What House Bill intends to achieve is to seek implementation of the concurrent resolution of the Senate and House of Representatives calling for a convention to amend the 1987 Constitution and appropriate funds for the purpose.

Once passed, the bill calls for the election on Oct. 25, 2010 simultaneous with the barangay polls of one delegate in every legislative district.

With congressmen going back to the hustings and the senators either running for re-election or campaigning for their presidential candidates, opposition to the Con-con bill may be milder. Just you watch.

Viva kay Señor Sto. Niño! /MP