BAGUIO CITY — The Cordillera region expects a further decrease in the number of firecracker-related injuries this year.
Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Cordillera Regional Director Marlo Iringan, in Tuesday’s launching press conference of the “Iwas Paputok” campaign, said only 11 of the 77 local government units (LGU) of Cordillera had yet to enact an ordinance that conforms with Executive Order 28 issued by President Rodrigo Duterte, which provides for the regulation and control of the use of firecrackers and pyrotechnics.
Iringan said there are 75 municipalities, one component city and one highly urbanized city in the region.
He underscored the importance of the passage of the ordinances to be able to attain the goal of zero-casualty on both legal and illegal firecrackers. “We are hoping that there will be nobody who will be hurt for using firecrackers and pyrotechnics. We are coordinating with the different barangays, municipalities and provinces to watch their areas,” he said.
Iringan explained that the approved ordinances provide for not just the regulation of the use and sale but also the identification of a space where an LGU-initiated fireworks display could be done, for the enjoyment and safety of the general public.
Department of Health and City Health Services Office record shows that in 2016, there were still 22 admissions in the different health facilities in the region due to injuries caused by the use of firecrackers and pyrotechnics to celebrate Christmas and New Year. In 2014, the region recorded 70 admissions and 63 admissions in 2015.
Last year in Baguio, there were five recorded admissions, the youngest of whom was a five-year-old female. All of the victims were passive users and suffered eye injury, burns, and abrasions.
Baguio City Mayor Mauricio Domogan, in the same press conference, said for firecracker sellers to be allowed, they are not only required to secure a permit from the Philippine National Police but also from the LGU. He pointed out, however, that they would not issue any permit to anybody in the city.
Domogan urged the public to celebrate the holidays safely, without exploding firecrackers and risking their lives and properties.
He said that the city had refused to issue permits for the past four years, but sellers were able to secure it from the nearby municipalities of La Trinidad, Itogon, Sablan, Tuba and Tublay. He said he hopes to discuss the matter with the local chief executives of these towns soon.
Domogan also said that an order had been issued to the Baguio City Police Office to confiscate any firecrackers that would be sold and to file appropriate charges against the sellers.
He also urged the public to report to the authorities the presence of firecracker vendors as the city government will definitely ban sale of such items in Baguio. (PNA)
