Palace tells public to help Odette victims instead of spending money on firecrackers

Malacañang on Thursday urged people to skip buying firecrackers to celebrate the New Year and instead make a donation to those affected by Typhoon Odette.

"Only community fireworks display are allowed. The community fireworks display must be under the supervision of a trained person duly licensed by the Philippine National Police and will only be allowed by the municipality or city concerned through a permit," acting presidential spokesperson Karlo Nograles said at a press briefing.

"Imbes na igastos natin sa paputok, sa firecrackers na bawal po, ibigay na lang po natin sa mga kababayan natin na nangangailangan. Those na tinamaan, lubos na naapektuhan ng Typhoon Odette, doon na lang po natin ibigay ang tulong natin," he added.

(Instead of buying prohibited firecrackers, please donate instead to our fellow Filipinos who need assistance as they were severely affected by Typhoon Odette.)

Typhoon Odette has left nearly 400 people dead and P22 billion worth of damage to agriculture, infrastructure and residential housing.

Nograles also said that it is best to heed the health department's advice to celebrate the New Year safely amid the COVID-19 pandemic by using percussion instruments such as tambourines and bells. — VBL, GMA News