More Filipinos buy firecrackers in Bocaue ahead of New Year's Eve

Despite warnings, buyers of firecrackers trooped to Bocaue in Bulacan a few days ahead of the New Year’s Eve celebration. 

According to Marisol Abdurahmann’s report on “24 Oras,” buyers said they opted to buy at the fireworks capital of the country due to low prices.

“Kailangan namin yun eh. Magce-celebrate kami sa 31…Ok naman. Mura. Binigyan kami ng discount,” a buyer said. 

(We needed this for our celebration on December 31. Firecrackers are cheaper here and they gave us a discount.)

Aside from roving police, several safety measures including fire extinguishers, and containers of water have been placed at the stalls in case of fire. 

“Lahat mga bumbero, PNP nakiki-coordinate samin lalo ‘yung mga nagsisigarilyo,” said a stall owner.

(The BFP and PNP are coordinating with us, especially in driving away those who were smoking here.)

“Kaya 'yung mga nagve-vape, 'yung mga nagsisigarilyo... 'wag na,” he said. 

(If you are vaping or smoking, please don’t go near our stalls.)

Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police (PNP) is enforcing a crackdown on the sale of illegal firecrackers. 

The PNP said it confiscated various illegal firecrackers in Divisoria on Monday and around 30,000 paraphernalia in Davao City. 

“As of yesterday po ay mahigit 34,000 na po yung ating nakumpiskang mga ilegal na paputok at tuloy tuloy po yan,” said PNP Spokesperson Colonel Jean Fajardo. 

(As of yesterday, we seized over 34,000 illegal firecrackers. Our crackdown operations are still ongoing.) —Sundy Locus/NB, GMA Integrated News