Protect environment through fireworks zone

CEBU, Philippines -  The City Council has urged barangays in the city to designate a specific open space as a common fireworks zone, especially for the New Year.

The request, made through a resolution authored by Councilor Nida Cabrera, echoes the appeal of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – 7 for local government units to “keep air pollution at bay” during the holidays.

“According to DENR, firecrackers contain sulfur, charcoal, and other mate-rials that form greenhouse gases when these react with oxidants in the air,” she said.

“Designating a common firecracker zone within the barangay, supervised by the barangay authorities, would drastically reduce the amount of air pollution from pyrotechnics such as dust, sulfur, and charcoal which can complicate respiratory problems as well as minimize the number of injuries caused by accidental throwing of firecrackers,” she added.

Cabrera who chairs the Council’s committee on environment said there are many problems associated with the holiday season like air pollution, respiratory illness, among others.

She said dust from fireworks and firecrackers can affect the lungs and pose real danger to people who suffer from illnesses of the respiratory system such as asthma, bronchitis, laryngitis, and pneumonia.

The City Council has asked the Association of Barangay Council to disseminate the information to barangay officials.

ABC President Philip Zafra said the reminder is beneficial but admits enforcement would be difficult.

“Dugay naman na nga ordinance nga each barangay will provide open space para didto magpabuto. Nindot man gyud na for the safety of our constituents pero sa enforcement, it’s very difficult,” he said.

“Admittedly, lisod man gud mag-enforce kay kun magdungan na sila’g pa-buto sa ilang mga sitio, dili na maato sa atong officials,” he added.

One option to avoid risks, Zafra said, is to encou-rage barangays to stage their own fireworks display so that residents would no longer need to buy firecrackers.

“Ako sa Barangay Tisa, magpa-fireworks display para sa atong residents aron dili na sila magpabuto ug dili na magpalit og pabuto kay delikado man gyod,” he said.

Zafra said it is easier to regulate the sale of firecrackers compared to monitoring and apprehending residents who use them.

“Wala pa man gud na-butang sa mindset sa mga tao nga dili gyod maayo ang pabuto kay it’s more on their tradition man gud na pangpahawa sa malas or unsa pero ato lang hinay-hinayan og pasabot,” he said.

Republic Act 7183 or the Act regulating the sale, manufacture, distribution and use of firecrackers and other pyrotechnics devices, names firecrackers and pyrotechnics of prohibited explosive content that can endanger the life of a person such as piccolo, atomic big triangulo, super lolo, mother rockets, lolo thunder, boga, big judah’s belt, big bawang, kwiton, and goodbye Philippines. (FREEMAN)