Rama seeks legal opinion on pyrotechnics rules

CEBU, Philippines - There is now a request to allow the sale of pyrotechnics at the malls, but Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama wants the opinion of the City Legal Office before he decides on it.

The police had confiscated P3 million worth of pyrotechnics from a mall Tuesday night and the owner of the items are now making efforts to take them back.

The businessman is moving to amend the Cebu City resolution designating the South Road Properties as the sole area where such products can be sold. The proposed amendment is so pyrotechnics could be sold in the malls.

But Rama said amending the resolution just to accommodate one pyrotechnic company needs a thorough study and discussion.

“We don’t amend to accommodate. I will send to the city attorney’s office the matter about pyrotechnics. Kung i-amend na sa council, pirmahanan ra ba na nako. I want the opinion of the city attorney before I sign any amendment,” Rama said in his news conference yesterday.

Councilor Augustus “Jun” Pe, the proponent of Resolution 08-1394, said in reports that he will propose amendments in the resolution to allow pyrotechnic devices to be sold inside the malls. It might be included in the next council session on December 21.

The mayor did not say if he is inclined to grant the request of the affected company, which has contributed to the city’s major events. He said that sometimes, the City needs to be firm in its action.

The owner of the company sought the help of Rama and Rep. Tomas Osmeña so he could take back his P3 million worth of pyrotechnic products from the police.

The items were confiscated by the City Treasurer’s Office and the Cebu Intelligence Bureau for violating Council Resolution No. 08-1394, which designates the South Road Properties as the sole venue where traders can sell firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices.

The resolution was passed to ensure public safety.

For his part, Cebu City Police Office Director Melvin Ramon Buenafe said he would wait for the City Hall’s decision on what to do with the confiscated pyrotechnics.

Buenafe stressed that the police has nothing against the amendment of the resolution, as they are only assisting the City Treasurer’s Office the City Hall.

Right now, he said they are securing the items to prevent accidents although he assured that the CCPO is a safe place for these.

He disclosed that an employee of the company who owned the pyrotechnics went to their headquarters to inspect the items.

He emphasized, though, that no one can negotiate with the police to retrieve confiscated items as he would not allow that. (FREEMAN)