‘Fireworks displays, not firecrackers’
Instead of firecrackers, why not go for fireworks? The head of Cebu Provincial Health Office (PHO) yesterday urged communities to conduct fireworks display as he called for a province-wide ban on the use of firecracker for the Christmas and New Year revelries.
Dr. Rene Catan said it is “ideal” to ban firecrackers but only if the government is capable of implementing it.
He explained that even if there will be a legislative movement to push the idea, it will remain an idea if the government cannot enforce it.
Although Catan noted that the number of incidents involving firecrackers has been declining in the recent years, this should not be a cause to be complacent.
As an alternative to firecrackers, Catan recommended community fireworks displays.
Last year, 42 people in Central Visayas were reported to have been injured in firecracker-related incidents, while another two were injured by a stray bullet.
Although the Department of Health reported that the number of victims went down by around 50 percent, there was still a data gap because the report only included those who were treated in the health centers and hospitals. It excluded those who were treated at home.
Catan added that the PHO will continue to advocate measures on how to stay safe this season even if no legislation regarding the province-wide ban of firecrackers.
Among Cebu LGUs, only Mandaue City has so far reported banning firecrackers this year. In the country, however, Davao City has been known to successfully implement a city-wide ban for years.
Back in June, President Rodrigo Duterte signed an executive order (EO) regulating the use of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices in the country.
Executive Order No. 28 confines the use of pyrotechnics to community fireworks displays to lessen the risk of injuries.
“It is allowed by the municipality/city concerned through a permit specifying the date and time of the fireworks display and the specific area in which the display will be conducted, in conformity with national standards, rules, and regulations," the order stated.
The Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection, Department of Interior Local Government are the agencies tasked by the President to implement the EO.