By Civ Alonzo-Cruz
Malacañang encouraged the public in a press briefing on Wednesday (Dec. 29) to donate money to typhoon victims instead of spending on firecrackers as the government seeks to prevent firecracker injuries and environmental problems on New Year’s Eve.
Acting Presidential Spokesperson and Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said in the press briefing that it would be better if people would spend on donations for people in need instead of buying firecrackers.
“Imbis na i-gastos po natin sa paputok, sa firecrackers na bawal po, ibigay na lang po natin sa mga kababayan natin na nangangailangan,” Nograles said.
“Those [people] na tinamaan [at] lubos na naapektuhan ng Typhoon Odette, doon nalang po natin ibigay ang tulong natin [imbis na ibili ng mga paputok]. Mas malaking tulong po ‘yan,” he added.
Nograles also reminded the public that, as per Executive Order (EO) No. 28 series of 2017 signed by President Duterte, only the community fireworks display of local government units (LGUs) are allowed to prevent firecracker-related injuries and lessen the air pollution in the New Year revelry.
The said EO regulates the use of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices in the country.
Meanwhile, DILG Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said in the press briefing that the agency has a directive regarding the implementation of a firecracker ban in the country.
“Mayroon pong direktiba para nga po maiwasan ang mga firecracker-related injuries at mga sunog ngayong paparating na bagong taon,” Malaya said.
“Ang PNP at LGU, mayroon po silang katungkulan to enforce national and local policies regarding the use of firecrackers. Puwede po silang magsagawa ng inspection. They can also confiscate and sirain itong mga prohibited firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices,” he added.
Malaya also advised people to check on their respective LGUs regarding their ordinances on the use of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices.
“Maigi din po na alamin ng ating mga kababayan iyong mga ordinansang ipinapairal ng iba’t-ibang LGU sa buong bansa. Mayroon po tayong example, sa Valenzuela talagang [firecracker] total ban sila doon,” he said.
Nograles also conveyed the message of the Department of Health (DOH) in using percussion instruments to welcome the New Year and to avoid using ‘torotot’ to prevent the possible transmission of COVID-19 virus through saliva. He also reminded everyone to follow minimum public health standards, as we are still in the pandemic.
“Again, this is a shared responsibility. Hindi po dapat naka-atang lamang sa balikat ng pamahalaan ninyo or ng LGU, naka-atang [din] ito sa balikat nating lahat. Self-policing, among yourselves, in your family, in your community, sa inyong baranggay,” he said.
“Lahat po tayo, huwag natin sayangin ang lahat ng pinaghirapan po nating lahat, iyan po ang panawagan natin,” he added. – bny
