DILG chief Abalos eyes total ban vs. firecrackers

Fire crackers should be banned in all local government units in the country, according to Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos on Monday.

In an ambush interview, Abalos said some local government units have already imposed a total ban on firecrackers and just designated an area for fireworks display.

“Marami naman tayong mga lungsod at mga munisipyo na mayroong ganito. Sana lahatin na natin. Kaya ako ay nananawagan sana naman magkaroon na tayo ng ganitong ordinansa,” Abalos said.

(There are many cities and municipalities that passed an ordinance on banning firecrackers, I hope all cities and municipalities will do the same. That is why I am calling for them to pass an ordinance already.)

“Anyway, kaya naman i-celebrate ang Bagong Taon nang maayos. Magkaroon ng fireworks display na lamang sa mga munisipyo sa isang lugar at maiwasan natin iyong ganitong disgrasya,” he added.

(Anyway, we can celebrate the New Year orderly. We should have a fireworks display in the municipalities in one area and avoid accidents.)

On Sunday, a truck carrying firecrackers caught fire while parked at the BFCT East Metro Transport Terminal in Calumpang, Marikina.

According to Eastern Police District (EPD) chief Police Brigadier General Wilson Asueta, firecrackers and combustible materials were found inside the truck.

“Nakita niyo naman, merong mga firecrackers na ebidensya, so nakita natin na ito ay nasa loob, so ito ang cause ng ating sunog ng wing van truck,” he said.

(As you saw, there was evidence of firecrackers we saw inside, so this is the cause of the fire that hit the wing van truck.)

However, the Philippine Pyrotechnic Manufacturers and Dealers Association protested against the total ban on fireworks. It said there is already a rule for the safe use of pyrotechnics under Republic Act 7183.

“I don’t think na kailangan ‘yan, ang dapat, turuan ang mga tao na mag-ingat (sa pag-gamit ng paputok),” said Celso Cruz-Chairman Emeritus of the PPMDAI.

(I don’t think that is needed, what we must do is to teach people on how to be careful in using fire crackers.)

During last year’s New Year revelry, the Department of Health (DOH) recorded a total of 291 fireworks-related injuries from December 21, 2022 to January 5, 2023.

These were 55% higher than the 188 cases during the same period in the 2021-2022 New Year celebration.—Sherilyn Untalan, RSJ/RF, GMA Integrated News