Fireworks ban stays in 3 Makati barangays

MANILA, Philippines - The Makati City government yesterday said the ban on the use of fireworks in three barangays affected by the oil leak of the First Philippine Industrial Corp. (FPIC) pipeline stays.

Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay said the fireworks ban stays in Barangays Bangkal, Magallanes and Pio del Pilar as ordered by City Ordinance 2010-A-020.

“Although the cleaning phase of the oil leak has been ongoing for years now, the city government deems it proper to keep the ordinance in effect so that no further harm could befall our constituents,” Binay said.

“We have been in constant communication with our environmental specialists and consultants who will determine when the soil and water in the area have been freed from traces of oil,” he added.

An oil leak from the pipeline was discovered at the basement of the 22-story West Tower Condominium in July 2010, prompting the city government to order the evacuation of the building.

The FPIC pipeline transported oil and petroleum products from Batangas province to the oil depots in Pandacan, Manila.

Under the ordinance, violators of the firecrackers ban will be penalized with a fine of P5,000 or six months’ imprisonment.

Binay also reminded the public that the city government still implements the 1994 ordinance that prohibits the sale of any firecracker to minors aged 15 years and below. Violators are fined P1,000, jailed for 15 days or both, at the discretion of the court.

The city government is still coordinating with the FPIC on the ongoing cleaning and remediation phase of the soil and water underneath the West Tower Condominium.