Cebu City prohibits fireworks displays in residential areas

The Cebu City local government unit has prohibited fireworks displays in residential areas to ensure public safety amid the Yuletide season.

Signed by Cebu Mayor Alvin Garcia, Executive Order No. 26 states that fireworks displays are also prohibited in private households and hospitals.

Fireworks displays will only be conducted by authorized persons who secured a special permit.

Barangay officials, in coordination with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Bureau of Fire Protection, were tasked with designating fireworks zones in community areas under the following criteria:

• Population within the area
• Availability of emergency medical staff or first aid responders and necessary equipment
• Availability of firefighting equipment
• Safe distance of more than 100 feet away from residential areas
• Such other factors which may be relevant to the safety of residents in the area

The PNP earlier urged the public not to light firecrackers in residential areas in welcoming the New Year to ensure everyone’s safety.

The PNP-Civil Security Group said there are 28 prohibited firecrackers, including Watusi, Piccolo, Five Star (Bog) and Pla-Pla.

In its latest report, the Department of Health logged 25 firecracker-related injuries a day before Christmas Day.

—Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA Integrated News