City to boost campaign vs illegal firecrackers

A CITY councilor is pushing for an intensive campaign against illegal firecrackers after a 41-year-old man was injured by a “super lolo” Thursday dawn in Alubijd town, Misamis Oriental, barely two months before Christmas and New Year.

Councilor Dante Pajo, chair of the Cagayan de Oro City Council committee on health and sanitation, said let the first victim be a lesson to everybody.

“Aside from it being very hazardous to your health, it can also put your family to danger,” Pajo said.

Danilo Rahiso, a resident of Alubijid town, suffered severe damage to his middle finger after a “super lolo” firecracker accidentally went off in his hands.

Rahiso was reportedly drunk when the incident happened. He is now recuperating at the Northern Mindanao Medical Center (NMMC).

Pajo said the City Government will embark on a massive information drive against the use of illegal firecrackers.

With this, he advised parents to look after their children and discourage them from using illegal firecrackers.

“It’s would be better to be safe than sorry,” he said.

Pajo also urged police personnel and other agencies to help in the campaign by apprehending vendors selling illegal firecrackers.

Under Republic Act 7183, firecrackers green-lighted for manufacture and sale include baby rocket, bawang, small triangle, pulling of strings, paper caps, El Diablo, Judah's belt, sky rocket (kwitis), Roman Candle, tropillo, airwolf, whistle device and butterfly.

The law says atomic big triangulo, super lolo, Picolo, watusi and others with high explosive content are strictly prohibited.

Under the law, any person who manufactures, sells, distributes or uses firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices in violation of its provisions shall be punished by imprisonment or payment of fines.