Metro cities keeping eye on illegal firecracker sale

CEBU, Philippines – A joint team from Talisay City's police and fire departments will continue apprehending those found illegally selling fireworks until the New Year's Day.

This after the city government has not identified a designated area or a firecracker zone where vendors can sell their products.

Senior Inspector Randy Mendaros, chief of Talisay City Fire Department, said the city could not use as firecracker zone the previously designated area in Barangay Lagtang since there are buildings already existing there.

He said not even one vendor appeared in their office to express their intention to sell firecrackers. He believes that this is because most vendors do not want to go through the process of getting appropriate permits from concerned government offices.

Yesterday afternoon, the composite team was seen patrolling the city and telling vendors to avoid selling firecrackers to prevent untoward incidents.

"Amo lang una silang gi-warning-ngan pero karon kung makit-an namo nga sila mamaligya gihapon og pabuto, aw amo na silang dakpon," Mendaros warned.

He said they gave a go signal to two big malls in the city to sell firework products since they have the necessary permits to sell.

"Ang Tabunok gyud ang among focus karon kay diha ang abutanan sa mga palaliton ug mga tawo," Mendaros added.

Before and on Christmas Day, Talisay City police seized assorted firecrackers in an operation at the Tabunok Public Market.

Superintendent Germano Mallari, chief of Talisay City police, said they will be back to conduct surprise confiscations of undocumented firecrackers displayed along the road.

"Nganong mosupak pa man gyud ta sa balaod nga siguro man gyud nga dakpon?" he said.

In Lapu-Lapu City, police seized and estimated P31,620 worth of illegal firecrackers in two barangays last Monday.

Senior Superintendent Armando Radoc, acting director of Lapu-Lapu City Police Office, said the raids started around 3 p.m. until 6 p.m. in Barangays Calawisan and Babag.

Assorted fireworks such as Piccolo, Super Whistle Bomb, Daluydoy, and Yolanda were seized and stored in 10 cartons to be soaked in water by the police on December 31.

The operation was led by Chief Inspector Mark Gifter Sucalit, chief of City Intelligence Branch.

Radoc, however, said owners of the confiscated illegal firecrackers managed to escape as police went to the area. He suspected that they could not present permits for selling their wares.

This was the second time police raided illegal firework stalls in Barangay Babag, which is known to be the fireworks capital of the city.

Before Christmas, an estimated P10,000 worth of illegally sold firecrackers were also seized in Barangays Babag and Pajac.

Mayor Paz Radaza said barangay officials should be the ones responsible for ensuring the safety of their residents.

"Ang barangay, ang help nga ilahang mahatag is ma-properly monitored (ang area) nga legal ang paghimo, with the protection sa mga katawhan," she said.

Radoc reiterated that their efforts to confiscate illegal fireworks will continue until January 1. (FREEMAN)