Muntinlupa takes ‘cracker ban seriously

As in President Duterte’s Davao City, firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices are also prohibited in Muntinlupa City.

City Information Officer Tez Navarro reminded residents earlier this week that it was unlawful to manufacture, sell and use firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices to protect the health of the public and environment from their harmful effects.

He cited City Ordinance No. 14-092 as the basis for the ban, which took effect in 2014.

From December 2015 to January 2016, the City Health Office recorded 13 cases from ille- gal firecrackers: piccolo (6), “kwitis” (2), five star (1), “plapla” (1) and three from unknown pyrotechnic devices.

The Department of Health-Epidemiology Bureau placed the number of firecracker-related injuries in welcoming 2016 at 760. Of the total, 427 cases were recorded in the National Capital Region.

Personnel from the Bureau of Fire Protection, Business Permits and Licensing Office, Public Order and Safety Office (Poso), and barangay officers have been conducting inspections to ensure that no firecrackers were being sold in the city.

Navarro urged the public to report any violation to Poso by calling 8870527 or 09175368493.

First-time violators face a fine of P1,000 or imprisonment of not more than a month. A second offense merits a P3,000 fine or imprisonment of not more than six months while a third offense has a penalty of P5,000 or jail time of not over six months.