Caloocan residents urged to observe firecracker zones

MANILA, Philippines - The Caloocan City government yesterday appealed to residents to observe the designated firecracker zones to avoid harm in welcoming the New Year.

Mayor Enrico Echiverri directed his chief of police Senior Superintendent Jude Santos to assist in the enforcement the firecracker zone policy in the city’s 188 barangays.

The mayor also tasked public safety and traffic management chief Alfonso Sta. Maria to coordinate with village leaders and barangay watchmen for them to also help the local cops in implementing the guidelines.

“The implementation of these firecracker zones is for our own safety, so please follow this rule and let’s just be safe this coming 2011,” Echiverri said.

Echiverri said that each barangay will have pre-designated areas where residents could light up firecrackers and pyrotechnics to avoid accidents.

But despite repeated reminders of the dangers of firecrackers, Echiverri still expects the influx of firecracker victims to hospitals during the New Year revelry but assured residents that the city hospitals are “all geared up and prepared.”