‘Paputok’ banned again
THE SUMMER Capital is putting another ban on the use of firecrackers during the Christmas and New Year revelry.
Baguio City Mayor Mauricio Domogan also reminded the public of the city's ordinance banning the sale and use of fire crackers particularly this Christmas season.
"Those wanting to sell pyrotechnics and fire cracker in the city will have to secure a permit from the city or face the penalties. No permit, no selling," said Domogan.
Any person, firm, entity or corporation violating the provisions of the city ordinance will be punished according to the gravity of their offense.
During the weekly Kapihan, regional and city health authorities, police and fire officials
collectively called on the public to be reminded of the existing ban on the use, sale and manufacture of firecrackers through a city law to prevent injuries caused by legally and illegally bought pyrotechnics.
"Whether it’s legal or illegally bought, it still possess risk. Although last year’s record showed a big drop in the number of fire cracker related injuries, it however showed the injuries were passive injuries or those accidentally hit by firecrackers," said Domogan.
Domogan has called on the neighboring municipalities to support the total ban of the city by applying it to their municipalities as well.
"The municipalities of La Trinidad, Itogon and Sablan are in agreement with us and may soon come out with their own version of our City Ordinance no.53. We are hoping that Tuba will also consider the creation of a similar ordinance banning the sale, use and manufacturing of pyrotechnics in their place," added Domogan.
Dra. Dona belle Tubera of the City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit reported five firecracker related injuries last year, 62 percent decrease as compared to the cases recorded in the previous years.
Baguio City Police Office city director Senior Supt. Ramil Saculles have assured the police forces adherence and obedience to the city ordinance by arresting would be violators of the ordinance ." Although we conduct checkpoints on a regular basis as part of our anti-criminality campaign in the city, we will do everything to prevent the sale and use of firecrackers in the city as provided for by the ordinance,” Saculles added.