Baguio bans firecrackers, neighboring town OK’s it

BAGUIO CITY—Firecracker stalls were put up on Monday along Marcos Highway in Tuba town, Benguet, spoiling the summer capital’s campaign to end firecracker injuries, at least in themountain resort city.

Mayor Mauricio Domogan has imposed a ban on firecracker sales in the summer capital, but Tuba Mayor Florencio Bentrez has allowed 13 licensed fireworks traders to sell products near the boundary of the two communities.

“But I put my foot down and required them to sell only fireworks and not firecrackers,” Bentrez said by telephone on Monday.

Domogan said neighboring Benguet towns, like La Trinidad and Itogon, had also banned the sale of firecrackers in their jurisdictions, reinforcing his campaign to reduce the number of firecracker-related injuries.

On Monday, the Department of Health recorded another firecracker injury in Baguio, raising the number of people treated for injuries to six since the holiday week began. The agency also recorded a firecracker injury in Itogon town, raising the Cordillera injury list to 12 as of Dec. 30.

Guerrilla-style sales

“This morning, I learned Tuba had allowed the sale of fireworks. I was also warned that fireworks traders threatened to sell their wares guerrilla-style in the city. I hope they listen to their conscience,” Domogan told reporters.

Bentrez said his decision was not meant to counter Baguio’s policy.

And like many communities, Tuba designated a zone where firecrackers and pyrotechnic products may be sold, Bentrez said.

These areas have been placed under tight watch by the local police and fire departments.

In Talavera town, Nueva Ecija, vendors of firecrackers and pyrotechnic products were allowed to build 12 stalls under the close watch of the police, said Supt. Reynaldo de la Cruz, town police chief.

He said local police arrested four people for selling illegal products.

Firecracker stalls were also set up on the provincial road outside the Science City of Muñoz in Nueva Ecija.