NCR mayors agree on total firecracker ban in Metro Manila

Metro Manila mayors have agreed to prohibit all kinds of firecrackers this holiday season, the chief of the National Capital Region Police Office said Monday.

According to Mariz Umali’s report on “24 Oras,” NCRPO chief Police Brigadier General Vicente Danao said Metro Manila mayors have passed a resolution that orders the ban on firecrackers.

“Definitely, ang all forms and all kinds ng firecrackers po within Metro Manila is absolutely banned. Siguro except po ‘yong papayagan ng LGUs na pyrotechnics na it should be placed in a safe area with an ambulance, with a Bureau of Fire, to protect,” Danao said.

“So depende po sa LGU ‘yong pyrotechnics ang puwede nilang payagan,” he added.

Meanwhile, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Debold Sinas said he has yet to receive the resolution from the mayors.

“Hinihintay pa namin ‘yong final resolution, ordinance or guidelines kung bakit talaga total firecracker ban but if there are ordinances ng kaniya-kaniyang munisipyo or final directive na total talaga na bawal na magbenta, mag-possess ay huhulihin po talaga ‘yon,” Sinas said.

“Lahat po ‘yan ay ipapasara natin ‘yong mga nagbebenta at lahat ng may hawak ay ire-recover natin at huhulihin natin sila,” he added.

Earlier, President Rodrigo Duterte said fireworks might be totally banned in the country by the holiday season next year.

Duterte said he is planning to issue a document ordering the ban by mid-2021. -Ma. Angelica Garcia/NB, GMA News