Firecracker vending areas to be inspected weekly

CEBU, Philippines — A weekly inspection will be conducted by the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (CCDRRMO) in the barangays where selling of firecrackers are allowed to prevent fire incidents.

Dexter Tudtud, CCDRRMO assistant department head, said they have already started meeting with the other concerned offices that form part of the inspection team.

It was discussed during the initial meeting with the various government agencies how to make the holiday season “fireproof”.

CCDRRMO is set to hold another meeting this week with the representatives from the Business Permit and Licensing Office of the City Hall, Bureau of Fire Protection, Department of Trade and Industry, and the Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor.

Tudtud said they are starting the preparations ahead of Christmas and New Year as some firecracker vendors have already started setting up stalls.

“This is our initial plan, so far, para maglikay nalang ta sa sunog kay we experienced a number of fires baya in the past weeks,” said Tudtud.

The CCDRRMO is just waiting for the data from BFP to determine which barangay to be prioritized.

“We are just waiting for the data gikan sa Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), kay naa man daw silay data regarding ana. And from there, mag-meet mi’g balik to discuss kung asa nga areas ta magsugod,” Tudtud added.

Aside from the data, the CCDRRMO is also asking the BFP and the DTI to join them in the inspection. Tudtud has reminded the firecracker vendors to secure a business permit from the city government and other permits required of them.

He warned the illegal firecracker vendors that the CCDRRMO personnel will confiscate their merchandise.

“We will also coordinate with the Barangay Affairs Office and the Business Permit and Licensing Office (BPLO) for the inspection,” said Tudtud. — FPL (FREEMAN)