QC, Valenzuela issue guidelines on sale, use of firecrackers for New Year

Several local government units (LGUs) in Metro Manila issued guidelines on the use and sale of fireworks and firecrackers on New Year’s Eve.

In Quezon City, the LGU limited the sale of firecrackers to shopping malls to ensure their constituents' safety, according to Oscar Oida’s report on “24 Oras” on Monday.

“Dapat within the confines of big malls natin. Doon lang sila pwede mag-tinda and kailangan ng permit galing sa office ko para payagan sila magtinda,” QC Department of Public Order and Safety Head General Elmo San Diego said.

San Diego also said the city government prohibited the use of firecrackers and fireworks in individual households. Instead, certain areas were designated as firecracker zones.

“Aggressive ang patrol operations ng Quezon City Police District natin. Kahit mahirap, gagawin natin 'yan. Kung kailangan natin manghuli, manghuhuli tayo,” he said.

Individuals who have already purchased their firecrackers may donate them to the designated zone, San Diego added.

“I-donate na lang nila doon sa mga designated firecracker zones natin kasi individually, di na kami papayag na 'yung household magpapaputok,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Valenzuela City government rescinded its ban on firecrackers as it passed an ordinance that now allows the use and sale of firecrackers, fireworks, and other legal pyrotechnic devices. The LGU, however, clarified it would abide by the national government's rules should it issue its own guidelines.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), for its part, said the policies set by the LGUs are consistent with their rules but they should also be aligned with the implementing rules and regulations of the Fire code of the Philippines and Republic Act (RA) No. 7183 or the act regulating the sale, manufacture, distribution, and use of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices.

“So, kung hindi kayo makakapag-abide with those guidelines... eh manood na lang po tayo ng fireworks display na for sure ang mga LGU ay magpapalabas,” DILG Undersecretary Marge Gutierrez said.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) warned the public that violators of the policies may face raps for violating RA No. 7183 which may lead to jail time of one month to one year and fines ranging from P20,000 to P30,000. Business owners may have their business permits canceled.

“Doon po sa mahuhuling nagpapaputok na outside of the designated community fireworks display areas ay maaaring maharap po kayo sa kaso sa violation po of Republic Act No. 7183,” said PNP Spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo.

Around 20 fireworks-related injuries were logged in the country from December 21 to December 26, the Department of Health said. Due to this, private hospitals are now gearing up for the possible rise in cases come New Year’s Eve.

“Mukhang mas relaxed po sila ngayon eh sa pagpapalabas nitong mga firecrackers so ine-expect po namin na baka mas dadami po ngayon ang mga injury-related na mga ganyan sa firecrackers,” said Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines, Inc. President Dr. Jose Rene de Grano. — Sundy Locus/DVM, GMA Integrated News