“Dulaon man ang Manggahan eh para patas na lang ni.”

This was among the pointed reactions of netizens to the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) Guimaras Chapter’s plan to restrict baylihanay to only twice a year in every barangay, with commenters questioning the consistency of the proposed policy and its consequences for community traditions and small livelihood earners.

The proposed restrictions have also drawn concern from people whose income depends on barangay celebrations, particularly sound system operators and ambulant vendors who rely on fiestas, dances and other community gatherings for their livelihood.

“Baylihan lang kag mga events kami makatrabaho kag makakwarta. Mag-amo sini, kaduha man lang sa isa ka tuig, mapakaon namon amon pamilya?” a sound system operator said, describing the potential impact of limiting the events on their ability to support their families.

An ambulant vendor also expressed concern over the shrinking opportunities for small sellers, citing the increasing presence of supermarkets and convenience stores.

“Wala na kami income tungod sa mga dalagko nga supermarkets kag convenience stores. Sa kada baylihan na lang gid kami naga-survive. Basi pa man magbag-o ang pinsar sang mga opisyales,” the vendor said.

Other netizens questioned why barangay celebrations should be restricted when major provincial and municipal festivities also involve loud music, dancing and large public gatherings.

“Manggahan, foundation day is no different sa traditional fiesta, brgy. or fiesta. Same lang man may ginaamo,” another commenter said.

The comparison raised questions about whether the proposed restrictions would also cover Manggahan Festival and municipal foundation day celebrations, particularly when noise and public disturbances are cited as the primary reasons for limiting baylihanay.

Another social media user questioned the apparent emphasis on complaints from senior citizens without equally considering the interests of other residents.

“I don’t think the solution should effectively treat senior citizens as the only residents whose interests matter. If 100 people attend a barangay disco and 10 nearby residents complain, that doesn’t mean those 10 people should simply be ignored, but neither does it automatically mean the other 90 people’s enjoyment should be disregarded,” the netizen said.

“Culture shouldn’t disappear just because some people don’t enjoy loud music. Indi lang seniors ang residente sang barangay,” the commenter added.

The reactions followed the announcement of Jordan Mayor John Edward Gando, president of the LMP-Guimaras Chapter, on the proposed restrictions after barangay officials reportedly received complaints from residents, including senior citizens, about loud sound systems and disturbances in their communities.

Under the proposed policy, baylihanay will no longer be allowed in sitios, while each barangay will be permitted to hold only two dancing activities annually.

The measure is expected to take effect on January 1, 2027. Dancing activities may still be allowed after official programs, such as coronation events.

The LMP-Guimaras Chapter has already passed a resolution on the matter and is planning to issue executive orders in each municipality to implement the restrictions, according to a report by Bombo Radyo Iloilo.

Beyond concerns over noise, the proposed policy has placed the livelihood of small-scale service providers and informal vendors in the discussion. Unlike large establishments, these workers often depend on occasional community events for additional or even regular income.

Sound system operators, food vendors and other small entrepreneurs stand to lose potential earning opportunities if the number of permitted gatherings is significantly reduced.

The proposed two-event annual limit also raises questions about how the restrictions will be applied across different types of celebrations. Manggahan, municipal foundation days, traditional fiestas and barangay festivities all involve public gatherings that may produce noise and disturbances.

Whether the same limitations and standards will apply to these celebrations has yet to be clarified.

While residents have the right to peaceful surroundings, the concerns of affected communities extend beyond noise complaints. The interests of event organizers, workers, vendors, young people and other residents are also part of the discussion.

The complaints of residents, including senior citizens, warrant attention. However, the proposed policy has yet to publicly establish how the two-event limit was determined, whether alternative noise-control measures were considered, or how the economic consequences for affected workers and vendors were assessed.

Questions also remain on the extent of consultations conducted with barangay residents and sectors whose livelihoods depend on community celebrations.

With implementation targeted for January 1, 2027, the LMP-Guimaras Chapter faces calls for clearer justification of the restrictions, particularly their scope, enforcement and application to other public festivities.

The issue now goes beyond how often communities can hold baylihanay. It also concerns who gets to celebrate, who gets to earn a living from these gatherings, whose complaints shape local policy, and whether the same standards of public order apply to everyone.IMT