DILG takes aim at zero firecracker-related injury this holiday season

Published December 18, 2020 08:07 AM By ANNA FELICIA BAJO,GMA News

The Department of the Interior and Local Government sets its eyes on zero firecracker-related injury for the holidays, especially during the New Year's Eve.

In a press statement issued Friday, DILG spokesman Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said no firecracker-related injury has been reported so far. He urged the public to prioritize their safety especially in the face of the COVID-19 theat.

"It is the tradition of Filipinos to usher in the New Year with fireworks as families indulge in their media  noche.

However, the pandemic and the new normal entails adjustments to ensure everyone is safe at home together,” Malaya said.

“Disiplina muna para ligtas ang pamilya, ligtas ang bayan. Ito po ang ating regalo’t ambag para iwas peligro at mapayapang pagsalubong ng bagong taon,” he added.

Malaya is optimistic that the zero-casualty target is attainable, citing the drop of firecracker-related incidents in the previous years.

Based on the data from the Philippine National Police, Malaya said a total of 307 firecracker-related incidents across the country were recorded in January 2019. This was 67% lower compared to the 929 recorded incidents in 2016.

In 2018, there were 449 incidents while in 2017 there were only 65 incidents, Malaya added.

"There has been a steady decline for the past three years and we can sustain that trend if we remain persistent with our efforts to implement laws and regulations on the use of firecrackers such as Republic Act 7183 and Executive Order No. 28," Malaya said.

The DILG had issued Memorandum Circular 2017-105, implementing Executive Order 28, which enjoins the local government units, the PNP, and the Bureau of Fire Protection to take necessary actions on the regulation and control of the use of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices during the holiday season.

Under its provisions, the PNP is tasked to strengthen its force to provide security in identified firecrackers and pyrotechnic zones and firecracker/pyrotechnic displays in respective areas in coordination with appropriate agencies and stakeholders.

Police are also expected to conduct inspections of the manufacturing complex, warehouse as well as the processing area of manufacturers and dealers in their respective areas of responsibility to ensure the observance of safety guidelines.

Further, the DILG said that prohibited fireworks include piccolo, watusi, giant whistle bomb, giant bawang, large judas belt, super lolo, lolo thunder, atomic bomb, atomic bomb triangulo, pillbox, boga, kwiton, goodbye earth, goodbye bading, hello columbia, and goodbye Philippines.

In line with this, the agency directed the BFP to intensify its Oplan Paalala/Iwas Paputok Campaign with the battlecry "Sa Halip na Paputok, Pito!" which encourages the public to instead use whistles during New Year's celebration.

It also called on the BFP to be strict in issuing fire safety clearance for fireworks display and fireworks exhibition to ensure that there will be no untoward incidents during such exhibitions. —LBG, GMA News

View on GMA News