By Pamela Mariz Geminiano/PNA
BAGUIO CITY — The Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) and local officials destroyed on Monday the banned firecrackers, which were confiscated during the holidays.
The PHP9,440 worth of firecrackers were submerged in large plastic container filled with water, in a simple ceremony during the flag-raising rite at the city hall.
“We are serious about the implementation of banning the sale and use of firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices. Next year, we will confiscate the same items which will be illegally sold in the city,” said Senior Police Officer 2 Ianne Dawiguey of the BCPO Police Community Relations office.
During the ceremony, officials destroyed 110 pieces of Luces, 500 pieces of Five Star, five pieces of Super Jumbo Fountain, six pieces of Diamond Fountain, 192 pieces of Sparklers, 400 pieces of Piccolo, four pieces of ordinary Fountain, and four pieces of Jumbo Gold Fountain.
With the strict implementation of “Oplan: Iwas paputok, Fireworks Display ang Patok!, she said the BCPO has recorded zero firecracker and indiscriminate firing-related injuries during the holidays.
“We firmly state that our campaign against the sale and use of firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices was a success,” she noted.
Meanwhile, Mayor Mauricio Domogan commended the BCPO’s relentless effort in the strict implementation of the ban on sale and use of illegal firecrackers.
“I hope this delivers the message to all of us that we are right to continue to ban the sale of firecrackers in the city of Baguio and I hope the city council will pass an ordinance that will regulate even fireworks display in our city,” he said.
President Rodrigo Duterte issued Executive Order 28 on June 2017 providing for the regulation and control of the use of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices.
Aside from the EO, the city government also ordered a total ban on the sale of these items in the city.
“We have already seen the positive result of doing it and we appeal to those who are engaged in the business of firecrackers that we are doing this for the safety of our city and to safeguard our environment,” Domogan said.
To make the people enjoy amid the ban on selling firecrackers as they greet the New Year, the city government organized a community fireworks display area at the Burnham Park.
