City to seize all firecrackers

TRADERS of firecrackers and pyrotechnics have to think again about bringing in their commodities through Davao City to nearby provinces.

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio maintained that the firecracker ban covers transporting of firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices through Davao City.

“It is not allowed in the law,” she said, adding that the city cannot even issue a permit to transport because the law prohibits this.

Earlier, the Police Regional Office-Davao Region's Regional Civil Security Unit (PRO 11 –RCSU) said there have been inquiries whether they can get a permit to transport firecrackers and other devices for Christmas and New Year’s revelries passing through Davao City.

RCSU 11 Chief Supt. Cydric Earl Tamayo said he has to follow the ordinance. If a trader from Tagum wants to sell firecrackers in Davao del Sur, he has to go through other areas where firecrackers are not totally banned.

Tamayo said the city has an existing ordinance banning firecracker and the local government has the right to strictly imple- ment it within its territory.

He said traders may go to Davao del Sur through Butuan City, Cagayan de Oro, Bukidnon then Kidapawan. He said traders have to spend more on freight or, Tamayo said, firecrackers and pyrotechnics may be transported by sea crafts to Panabo City.

The region's Police Regional Office has re-

minded local government units (LGUs) on the enforcement of the firecracker ban, saying they are required to identify designated areas for the fireworks display.

Tamayo warned the public not to use firecrackers and pyrotechnics in non-designated areas as set by Executive Order No. 28 issued by President Rodrigo Duterte.

Davao City and the towns of Bansalan and Sta. Cruz in Davao del Sur are not required to identity fireworks display sites because of their local ordinances ban all firecrackers and pyrotechnics.

“Anybody who will use firecrackers outside the community fireworks display areas will be apprehended,” he said, adding that anyone who violates the order will be penalized up to PHP30,000 and up to six months imprisonment.

He said the provincial government down to the barangay level will identify the places where the people can use their firecrackers and pyrotechnics.

“The LGUs will be the ones to identify the area that will be used as community fireworks display areas,” he said.

Tamayo said the LGUs will also designate the areas for selling firecrackers and pyrotechnics.

The order entitled “Providing for the Regulation and Control of the use firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices” aims to lessen the firecracker-related injuries during the yuletide season.