Zero casualties: Firecracker ban works wonders in Davao and Olongapo

(Updated 2:35 p.m. Dec. 28) - Did you just buy a jeepney's worth of fireworks, noise makers, and pyrotechnics? Before you light up the fuse on one of those spanking new “Gangnam Bombs,” you may need to check your local city laws first.

 

You may need to pay a hefty fine, or spend a night behind bars for the crime of being a firecracker bug.

 

Take Olongapo City, for example, which has had a firecracker ban on its streets since 2008. The city is prepared to slap a P5,000 fine and imprisonment on violators, and keep its clean record of zero reported injuries caused by fireworks.

 

Olongapo's city public affairs chief Mike Pusing told GMA News Online that people in their community are very much aware of the prohibition. 

 

As the Department of Health on Wednesday floated the idea for a nationwide fireworks ban, given the rising number of firework injuries, local government units with firecracker bans have been relentless with their policies to greet the coming year without the usual explosive fanfare, or the missing digits and limbs that usually come with the explosions.

 

Olongapo isn't the first city to have this ban, however. They only followed the lead of Davao City, whose local council was the first to pass an ordinance against firecrackers back in 2002.

 

Davao City's health officer, Josephine Villafuerte, told GMA News Online that the local government has already reminded residents about the ban on firecrackers even before Christmas. As a result of the innovative restriction, the city has greeted each of the past three New Year's celebrations without any fireworks-related injuries.

 

Villafuerte pointed out that her city strictly implements the firecracker ban, noting the arrest of at least 32 people this past Christmas Eve for violating the ordinance.

 

“Sanayan lang,” said Villafuerte on the absence of firecrackers in the New Year revelry, adding that people can still be happy and noisy even without fireworks.

 

Meanwhile, Muntinlupa City followed suit and passed an ordinance banning firecrackers in 2010. Public Order and Safety Office staff Manny Surel said that city officials and the police previously met to discuss the firecracker ban, but declined to say more.

 

The municipality of Pateros said in place of the prohibition of the sale, distribution and storage of firecrackers in the town, it heavily promotes alternative ways of greeting the new year with the use of toy horns and banging on pots and pans.

 

Beware the 'End of the World'

 

In the NCR, Quezon City posted the most number of victims during the last New Year celebration with 200 casualties. 

 

Asst. Chief Supt. Rogelio Simon of the PNP Firearms and Explosives Office told GMA News Online on Thursday that the firecracker called Piccolo is the most dangerous of those currently in circulation. There have so far been 250 injuries caused by the firecracker, with children aged six to 10 comprising the majority of victims. 

 

The PNP has warned the public of 20 illegal firecrackers--including the Piccolo--that are out in the market. 

 

The police likewise cautioned against using ‘oversize’ firecracker products. These virtual “hyper-crackers” contain more than the 0.2 gram maximum explosive content set for firecrackers and are especially hazardous. They include the ones named “Gangnam Bomb,” “Goodbye Bading,” and “End of the World.” 

 

To lessen firecracker-related injuries, the PNP also urged barangay officials to designate firecracker zones in their respective areas.

 

The Cities of Manila and Pasig followed Quezon City with the highest recorded firecracker-related injuries during the last New Year revelry.

 

Out of the 1,022 holiday-related firework injuries recorded from December 21, 2011 to January 5, 2012, about 60 percent were recorded in the National Capital Region, according to the PNP.

 

DOH Asst. Secretary Enrique Tayag said firework-related injuries as of Thursday reached 107, lower than the 138 incidents recorded in the same period last year.

 

The Health Department earlier this month launched its campaign “Oppa Gangnam Kontra-Paputok” which urged the public to dance to the beat of the wildly popular Korean song “Oppa Gangnam Style” this New Year, instead of using firecrackers.

 

In terms of a green initiative, it's been suggested that homemade confetti made of recycled paper can make for a safe, enjoyable and eco-friendly New Year's celebration. Or the usual revelries can be turned into a paint party. — DVM/KDM, GMA News