By Pot Chavez and Hilda Austria | Philippine News Agency
The Batangas Police Provincial Office (BPPO) destroyed confiscated firecrackers with an estimated amount of over P735,000 on Monday (Dec. 30), to ensure safer New Year’s Eve celebrations.
For the duration of the BPPO’s “Ligtas Paskuhan” drive from Dec. 1 to 26, illegal firecrackers worth P415,635 were seized in addition to other items worth P320,000 received from the Regional Intelligence Division.
In his message during the ceremonial destruction, Acting Director PCOL. Jacinto Malinao Jr. said “the thorough operation against illegal fireworks is ongoing the entire holiday season.”
“Since Dec. 16 until now, more than 4,759 different types of illegal firecrackers such as piccolo, giant ‘bawang’, whistle bombs, and other dangerous firecrackers such as boga (improvised cannon) have been seized,” Malinao said, adding that there are individuals facing charges under Republic Act No. 7183, the law that regulates and controls the manufacture, sale, distribution, and use of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices.
He also said that permits are necessary to allow the sale of firecrackers in designated areas. However, he emphasized that amid reported incidents of injuries, the peace and order situation in the province remains good.
Furthermore, the BPPO continues to conduct intelligence monitoring on firecracker distribution and have established checkpoint and set-up visibility patrols.
Likewise, they have coordinated with local government units and schools to promote awareness about the dangers of illegal fireworks, alongside information dissemination campaigns and community outreach programs.
Meanwhile, the Provincial Health Office is urging Batangueños to have a safe, responsible, and environment-friendly celebration.
“This is a very important celebration but the use of firecrackers can cause serious injuries such as wounds and burns. This also entails other long-term illnesses where most people can no longer use their hands, feet, or have severe facial pain,” Provincial Health Officer II Dr. Rosalie Masangkay warned, stressing that with every firecracker used, not only is human safety at risk, the environment also incurs damage due to pollution.
1.3K illegal firecrackers, pyrotechnics destroyed in Pangasinan
In a similar activity, the Pangasinan police destroyed 1,381 illegal firecrackers and pyrotechnics as well as 238 loud mufflers that were confiscated from Dec. 21 to 29.
The illegal firecrackers totaled 848 while the remaining 533 were improvised cannon (boga), which the Department of Health-Ilocos Region (DOH-1) said is the leading cause of fireworks-related injuries.
Pangasinan Police Provincial Office Director PCOL. Rollyfer Capoquian said in an interview that they will continue to conduct inspection and monitoring, especially before the New Year’s Eve revelry.
“I have given directives to the police stations to further strengthen inspection[s] against illegal firecrackers to ensure the safety of the people,” Col. Capoquian said.
“We encourage our fellow citizens to use alternative noisemakers, instead of firecrackers, in welcoming the new year for their safety and health,” he added.
DOH-1 recorded 37 fireworks-related injuries in Pangasinan from Dec. 21 to 29, which was 48 percent higher than the 25 injuries during the same period last year.
Capoquian also said they activated the Task Force Baywalk to ensure the safety of beachgoers.
“It has been a tradition for people to go to the beach after the New Year’s Eve revelry,” he said.
Since Dec. 16, PPO has activated 103 police assistance desks all over the province for the busy Christmas season. (with reports from Liwayway Yparraguirre/PNA)
