Rama orders crackdown on firecrackers sold outside SRP

CEBU, Philippines - Mayor Michael Rama yesterday convened the members of the Task Force Pabuto and ordered them to launch a massive crackdown against explosives and firecracker products sold outside the designated selling place at the South Road Properties.

The mayor was so dismayed when he learned that the members of the task force headed by his chief of staff, Philipp Zafra, did not conduct any operation against those who violate the existing ordinance by selling firecracker products along the downtown areas.

“There should be no suspension in the implementation of the existing ordinance and there should be no maximum tolerance to the violators,” the mayor said.

Market Administrator Raquel Arce, who is also the concurrent head of the city’s clearing team and served as assistance task force chief, warned the violators that their products shall be confiscated once they will be caught violating the ordinance.

The ordinance provides that selling of explosive products outside of the SRP during the Christmas and New Year period shall be considered illegal and the subject products will be confiscated by the city.

At present, close to 50 firecracker and pyrotechnics dealers are selling their products at the vacant area near the beachfront of the SRP in order to ensure that no major incidents will happen just in case there will be explosions of their stocks.

“Kinahanglang ipatuman g’yud nato ang balaud kay tingali’g ulahi na ang pagbasul. (We should implement the law before it’s too late),” the mayor said.

The FREEMAN observed that there were people selling firecrackers and other explosive products along the downtown area during the Christmas celebration.

The mayor said barangay officials are also expected to act accordingly to ensure the implementation of the said ordinance against those persons selling firecrackers in their barangays. — (FREEMAN)