Cebu archbishop, Archival eye drones over fireworks

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu Archbishop Alberto “Abet” Uy has once again urged communities to reconsider the use of fireworks in public celebrations, a request that continued from Christmas into the Sinulog season and other festivities.

The Archbishop’s call, framed as both pastoral and practical, emphasizes the need to protect life, safeguard creation, and embrace alternatives such as drone shows.

Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival, while acknowledging the archbishop’s concern, explained earlier why fireworks were not done away with in the latest Sinulog was because a donor had already committed to the display and preparations were finalized.

Archival, however, told The Freeman in an interview that drones may be considered in future festivities, recognizing them as a safer choice.

The new Archbishop of Cebu’s appeal began during Christmas, when he reminded families of the dire repercussions of firecrackers: children rushed to hospitals with burns, the elderly and vulnerable shaken by fear, animals fleeing in distress, and homes scarred by fire and pollution.

“No celebration is worth a child’s injury, no noise is worth a mother’s tears,” he said during Christmas. “True joy does not explode. True joy flows from love.”

As Sinulog approached, he reinstated his appeal, urging communities to reflect on how joy can be expressed without harm to people or creation.

In line with the mayor’s recent remarks, Archbishop Uy released a detailed reflection weighing drones against fireworks. He pointed out the following:

Fireworks release smoke, fine particulate matter, and toxic chemicals that linger in the atmosphere and harm human health, while drones produce no smoke and no chemical emissions during their display.

Fireworks are extremely loud, distressing children, the elderly, pets, and wildlife, while drones generate only a soft hum, making them more humane and inclusive.

Fireworks can disorient birds, cause animals to abandon nests, and sometimes lead to injury or death, while drones, though requiring careful planning, are far less disruptive when responsibly operated.

Fireworks leave behind plastic casings, paper debris, unexploded materials, and chemical residue that pollute land and water, while drones leave no physical debris in public spaces.

Fireworks also pose real risks of fires, especially in dry or urban areas, while drones carry minimal fire risk when safety protocols are followed.

Archbishop Uy acknowledged that drone shows have their own environmental footprint, including electricity use, battery production, and manufacturing, but stressed that when drones are reused and maintained well, their overall impact is significantly lower than repeated fireworks displays.

He also weighed the costs. Fireworks are cheaper upfront, making them accessible to smaller local government units, but they are one time use and generate hidden costs in cleanup, fire prevention, and health impacts.

Drones, though more expensive initially, are reusable, adaptable, and generate fewer indirect costs. Over time, they prove more cost effective, especially when shared or rented across LGUs, said the archbishop.

“If celebration can be joyful without harming creation, then choosing the less harmful option becomes a moral responsibility,” Uy wrote, invoking Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’ or call to care for one’s common home.

The archbishop’s appeal is not limited to Sinulog as he urged families, elders, and youth to embrace safer forms of joy across all celebrations.

With Mayor Archival signaling openness to drones in future festivities, Cebu now faces the possibility of reformatting its grand celebrations. — /RAE (FREEMAN)