Firecracker ban in Cebu proposed

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Councilor Eugenio Gabuya has proposed an ordinance that seeks to ban firecrackers and the use of pyrotechnic materials in public places.

In the ordinance entitled Firecrackers and Pyrotechnic Ban Ordinance in Public Places in Cebu City, it seeks to impose a total ban of the use of firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices during the festivity or any occasion in all public places within the territorial jurisdiction of Cebu City.

Gabuya said that due to the increasing demand of the firecrackers and pyrotechnics, there are some manufacturers and traders who are selling substandard products to the public.

Thus, occurrence of injuries, death, and damage to properties are reported, especially during the peak seasons, such as the holidays and other festivals.

During the regular council session, this proposed ordinance was referred to the committee on laws.

Once the ordinance is approved, any person found to be violating the provision of the ordinance will be slapped with a fine of P5,000 and an imprisonment of not more than one year upon the discretion of the court.

In the recent holiday celebration, the DOH-7 reported 36 cases of firecracker-related incidents for 2019 compared to 50 in 2018.

The data were taken from December 21, 2019 to noontime of January 1, 2020, according to DOH-7’s injury surveillance report.

Topping the list of local government units with most number of firecracker-related injuries is Cebu City (12), followed by Mandaue City with six, Lapu-Lapu City (3), Talisay City (3), and Minglanilla (2).

In 2018, President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the Philippine National Police to confiscate and destroy prohibited fireworks. He also directed that the issuance of new licenses and permits is also suspended, pending the compliance review of those who have licenses and permits.

Earlier in 2017, he signed Executive Order 28, which limits the use of firecrackers to community fireworks display.  GAN (FREEMAN)