Osmeña vows to adhere to firecracker use regulation

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña vowed to implement the executive order issued by President Rodrigo Duterte regulating the use of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices in the country.

The mayor said the executive order is “very easy to execute.”

“Actually, when I was a kid, I hurt myself with a firecracker. So, I don’t like firecrackers. I don’t like anyone to get hurt,” Osmeña said.

Osmeña said the city government will follow the order of the president. On June 20, Duterte signed Executive Order 28 confining the use of pyrotechnics to community fireworks displays and it should be outside residential areas.

Councilor David Tumulak said he will be conducting information dissemination on the executive order of the president, adding that he will also consult the barangays on the measure.

“We have yet to talk with the mayor. And we need to discuss and consult our residents kay basin naaymaapektohan pod ani,” he said.

Tumulak, deputy mayor on police matters, said the executive order is not about banning the use of firecrackers but only imposing regulatory measures to prevent injuries and health hazards to the public.

He said he will look into possible legislative measure in the City Council to assist in regulating the use of firecrackers in the city.

“Mag-consultation ta sa mga residente ug atong tan-awn unsa atong mabuhat sa konseho para ma regulate pod ning paggamit ug pagbaligya aning pabuto,” he said.

The city government has been providing an area at the South Road Properties where firecrackers can be sold.

Tumulak said it is up to the mayor if the area at SRP will continue to be used for vending firecrackers.Sought for comment, Association of Barangay Councils President Phillip Zafra said he will support the regulation of the use of firecrackers.

“Firecrackers are not only fire hazard but also a health hazard as well,” he said.

Zafra, ex-officio member of the City Council, said the previous members of the legislative body had approved an ordinance regulating the proliferation of firecrackers especially during the season of Christmas and New Year.

“Unlike before when you can find firecrackers in the sidewalks, for the past years they were just confined at SRP,” he said.

For now, he said the city should continue to allow vendors to sell firecrackers at SRP so that it will be monitored easily by authorities. (FREEMAN)