Davao marks 13th zero-injury New Year

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Thousands flocked to Roxas Avenue Thursday night for the annual Torotot Festival, which marks the way Dabawenyos (city residents) welcome each New Year.

Firecrackers and fireworks display are banned in the city for more than a decade. In lieu of pyrotechnics, the city welcomed 2016 with revelry through the torotot (horn) festival, which enjoins participants to blow on their horns at the same time. Others who are not into horns can bang on their drums or pots to make noises.

Yesterday, city police chief Senior Superintendent Vicente Danao gave a zero-injury report for the 13th time since the ban was imposed 14 years ago.

Although the hospitals here have been placed on alert for any emergency on New Year’s Eve, no one was brought in for injuries.

The city’s zero-injury record was achieved after the local government implemented Ordinance 060-02, which bans the manufacture, possession, sale and use of firecrackers and pyrotechnic materials anywhere in the city.

Violators will be fined from P1,000 to P5,000 or jailed for 20 days to three months. Any establishment that violates the ordinance may get its business permit cancelled.

Quiet streets

Unlike other urban areas in the country, Davao City’s streets are quiet during Christmas and New Year’s Eve.

People celebrate through street dances and make noise by blowing horns, banging drums or pots and turning the sound system on.

Danao, however, said three people were arrested for using firecrackers during the New Year’s Eve revelry. As first-time offenders, they would be given a lecture on the firecracker ban.

Meanwhile, Zamboanga City, which also implements a ban on firecrackers and pyrotechnics, also gave a zero-injury report.

Elmeir Apolinario, city disaster risk reduction management office (CDRRMO) head, said the city imposed the ban after a bloody siege in September 2013.

He added that although the ban is still in its experimental stage, he will recommend its permanent implementation when the city council takes the ordinance up for review.

He would also recommend an increase in fines and penalties after the CDRRMO personnel noted a number of people sneaking firecrackers into the city.

“But we are happy that despite the stubborn few, we have achieved again a zero firecracker-related injury last night,” Apolinario said. 

The Department of Health lauded the city’s success in achieving zero injuries during the New Year revelry. – With Roel Pareño