City warns vs. illegal firecracker vendors

CEBU, Philippines - Those who will be caught selling illegal firecrackers during the Yuletide and New Year’s celebrations will face fines, if not imprisonment.

The Cebu City government made the warning following the move to intensify the implementation of City Ordinance 2290, otherwise known as an ordinance regulating the sale, distribution, and use of firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices.

Under the ordinance, violators may be fined P5,000  or an imprisonment of not more than six months or both at the discretion of the court.

“There is a need to regulate the sale/distribution of such firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices for a peaceful and joyful environment during the merry-making occasion, and to avoid losing lives and properties due to accidental explosion sand fires,” reads part of the ordinance.

The confiscated items shall be turned over to the Bureau of Fire Protection for proper disposal in order to prevent recycling, redistribution, reselling and reuse.

The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council requested the City Police Office, City Traffic Operations Management, City Health Office, barangay captains and tanods, and Emergency Medical Services, among others to enforce the provisions of the ordinance, particularly the permit requirements, safety guidelines, labeling and imposable penalties.

Based on the ordinance, any persons desiring to sell or distribute firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices shall file his application for the issuance of license or business permit with the chief of the police, where the business or project is located.

The city treasurer, on the other hand, is mandated to inspect businesses selling fireworks before the issuance of a business permit.

No business permit shall be issued without securing a Fire Safety Inspection Report from the city fire marshal.

“As organic part of the CCDRRMC, we are once again called to fulfill our duties of preventing, if not, mitigating the untoward effects or incidents arising from the sale, possession, distribution and use of firecrackers and pyrotechnics during the Christmas season up to New Year,” said councilor David Tumulak, chairman of the local disaster council.

Tumulak said the city does not grant permit to ambulant vendors of firecrackers, stressing that vending around the city without any specific stall, booth or station is not allowed.

He said stand-alone stalls or sale booths within the designated limits at the South Road Properties are allowed to sell firecrackers and pyrotechnics. He added that malls are also allowed to sell pyrotechnics, but not firecrackers. — Kristine B. Quintas/NSA (FREEMAN)