President Rodrigo R. Duterte suggested Monday night the total ban of fireworks in 2021 to celebrate a safer holiday season.
Pointing out the dangers of using fireworks, President Duterte stated that music can be played instead every New Year as noise makers.
“Baka next December i-bawal ko na ang putok (Maybe next December I’ll ban fireworks) because it is really a dangerous thing and for reasons of public safety and health. [It’s all about] public safety [lest] mamatay ka, magkasakit ka (you die or you get sick). Health is… ma-ospital ka, maputol iyong kamay mo (you get hospitalized or your hand gets blown off). It’s a health problem actually [the] inhalation ng [of] powder smoke. So, it is a problem of health, public interest and public safety.”
The Chief Executive forewarned that by mid-year of 2021 he will issue the “necessary document totally banning fireworks.”
Meanwhile, the statement of the President has prompted mixed reactions from the public. The environmentalist group Ecowaste Coalition lauded the total ban while fireworks vendors expressed fear of losing their livelihood. – Report from Daniel Manalastas
