Baguio execs warn vs use, sale of firecrackers

By Aileen P. Refuerzo

BAGUIO CITY – Officials here warned against use of firecrackers saying the city government was maintaining its program to discourage the sale and use of firecrackers to again achieve a zero firecracker-related casualty status and entice people to embrace safe Christmas merrymaking and New Year revelry.
    Mayor Benjamin Magalong and City Administrator Bonifacio Dela Pena said that only community fireworks displays will be allowed subject to the issuance of a permit from the city government.
    To discourage people from using firecrackers, the city had in the past years organized a community fireworks display to prevent possible accidents aside from minimizing smoke emission caused by the firecrackers.
    This year, the city prepared a New Year’s Countdown program at the Melvin Jones featuring a concert by local bands and disc jockeys, bonfire, picnic and a grand fireworks display.
    The firecracker prohibition is based on Ordinance No. 53 series of 2009 which prohibits the sale or explosion of firecrackers within the city limits except on special occasions such as fiestas, celebration of important events, where a written permit is granted by the city mayor.
    The prohibited firecrackers include big triangle, rebentador (5 star), watusi, pla-pla, pillbox, mother rocket, og, firecrackers without labels, and others of similar nature during the Christmas and New Year celebrations.
    “There shall be a total ban at all times in the city of all kinds of firecrackers prohibited by the national law,” the measure stressed.
    On such occasions when selling is allowed by authority of the mayor, fire safety measures will be adopted such as the sellers will be required to observe the following: the seller shall secure certification from the Bureau of Fire Protection; install fire safety equipment and devices along with a “No Smoking” sign.  No testing of firecrackers must be done in the premises and that no overcrowding of products must be ensured.  Any firecracker devices that remain unfired after the display shall immediately be disposed of in a safe way.
    So far, the city has not issued any permit for any individual or group to sell firecrackers.
    Any person, firm, entity or corporation violating the provisions of this Ordinance shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and slapped punishments as follows: first offense -- confiscation of the firecrackers and fireworks and a fine of P2,000;  second offense -- fine of P3,000 to P5,000 at the discretion of the court; and third offense -- revocation of business permit and imprisonment for not more than 30 days at the discretion of the court.