Central Luzon sets 221 firecracker zones, 135 display areas

CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga, Philippines — Anticipating people welcoming 2026 with a bang and fireworks displays, the Central Luzon police has identified 221 firecracker zones in communities and 135 fireworks display areas in the region.

Brig. Gen. Ponce Rogelio Peñones Jr., Central Luzon police director, said Tarlac has the most number of designated community firecracker zones with 58, followed by Bulacan with 54; Zambales, 39; Nueva Ecija, 28; Pampanga, 24; Aurora, 13; and Bataan, five.

Police also identified 55 fireworks display areas in Bulacan, 27 in Nueva Ecija, 26 in Zambales, 15 in Pampanga, seven in Tarlac, three in Bataan and two in Aurora.

Peñones reminded people that 18 towns and cities in the region have ordinances, executive orders or resolutions banning the use of firecrackers.

The towns that prohibit the use of firecrackers are San Luis and Dilasag in Aurora; Abucay, Dinalupihan, Hermosa, Morong, Orion and Pilar in Bataan; Apalit and Porac in Pampanga as well as Bambang, Mayantoc, Moncada, Pura and  Victoria in Tarlac.

The cities that have banned firecrackers are Balanga in Bataan, Angeles in Pampanga and Olongapo in Zambales, Peñones said.