Brgys. told: Regulate sale of firecrackers

To ensure a safe celebration this Christmas, the Cebu City Council wants all 80 barangays to confiscate firecrackers sold by ambulant vendors in their areas.

The council also wants the barangays to turn over all confiscated items to the Bureau of Fire and Protection (BFP) 7 for proper disposal.

During the council’s regular session yesterday, Councilor Dave Tumulak, in an approved resolution, said there is a need to conduct strict monitoring following the reported rampant selling of firecrackers and pyrotechnics on the sidewalks.

“Extensive number of injuries and casualties related to firecracker is recorded every year. Thus, an immense requisite to control the selling of firecrackers by apprehending unregistered sellers is necessary,” he said.

The councilor, who is the deputy mayor for peace and order, believes that the best way to regulate the rampant selling of firecrackers is to only allow registered sellers and manufacturers to sell firecrackers in designated areas.

These sellers and manufactureres should have permits from the Philippine National Police and BFP.

Tumulak’s measure has gained the support of his colleague, Councilor Philip Zafra.

Zafra, who is the president of the Association of Barangay Councils, said he has always been supportive of totally banning the sale of pyrotechnics and firecrackers.

“Even in the urban areas, it is very difficult to designate firecracker zones because of population density. We want to avoid accidents. It (regulation) should be strictly implemented,” he said.

Ordinance

The City has an ordinance, though, designating the South Road Properties as the venue for the sale of firecrackers while pyrotechnic devices can only be displayed in malls.

The ordinance prohibits ambulant vendors from selling firecrackers or pyrotechnic devices.

Violation of the city ordinance means confiscation of items and a penalty of P5,000 or an imprisonment of three to six months or both upon the discretion of the court. /