Prevention of fires, injuries, deaths: Tougher firecracker ordinance implementation to be imposed

CEBU, Philippines - In a bid to reduce the number of fire incidents, deaths and injuries during the Christmas and New Year celebrations, Cebu City’s disaster office said implementation of City Ordinance 2290 would be intensified.

Ordinance 2290 is known as an ordinance regulating the sale, distribution, use of firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices.

Under the ordinance, violators may be penalized with a P5,000 fine or imprisonment of not more than six months or both at the discretion of the court.

City Councilor David Tumulak, chairman of City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, said they already reminded barangay officials and law enforcers to prohibit the selling of firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices in places other than the designated zone to have a peaceful celebration of Christmas and New Year.

“Amo lang gihangyo nga mag-amping lang ta kanunay kay basi sa ordinansa, wala ra ba tay laing lugar nga gibaligyaan og pabuto, ang SRP ra unya daghan kaayog mamaligya sa atong kabaranggayan, mag suroy-suroy,” Tumulak said.

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.

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

He, however, also said that they are not only focusing on illegal selling of firecrackers but also in reminding people to use electricity wisely and carefully.

“Magpahinumdom lang gyud mi about ani kay mao ni kasagaran hinungdan sa sunog; mag-overloading, unya ang ilang desinyo sa wirings dili haom mao nang magbantay ta kanunay,” Tumulak said.

The councilor also said that the Bureau of Fire Protection, Cebu City Police Office, and the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council would be in full red alert status starting tomorrow.

“Naay mga ambulansya, firetracks, naa say magbantay ug magsuroy-suroy to remind the public to refrain using firecrackers during Christmas and New Year kay di ta gusto magsaulog sa pasko unya naay mahitabong dili maayo,” said Tumulak. —(FREEMAN)