MANILA, Philippines – The ban on firecrackers is not likely to be implemented this holiday season as the proposal has yet to be discussed with stakeholders, President Duterte said.
“Those who will be affected have not been informed yet,” Duterte told Japanese television station NHK in an interview last Monday.
Duterte enforced a firecracker ban when he was mayor of Davao City to avoid fatalities and injuries.
The city government encouraged the public to find alternative ways of making noise during Christmas and New Year’s Eve such as banging pots and pans, blowing party horns and holding street parties.
Before departing for his visit to Brunei early this month, Duterte said he would have to consult the Cabinet first before issuing an executive order on the firecrackers ban.
“I’m going to have the Cabinet meeting,” the President said.
“It might lead to loss of livelihood, economic, whatever, social, everything. So I would need the Cabinet to decide. It will be a Cabinet decision,” he added.