|
Thursday, November 24, 2005
Tom seeks ban on Christmas lights in densely populated communities
MAYOR Tomas Osmeña wants to ban Christmas lights in “high-risk areas” in Cebu City to prevent fires.
“This is for their (people’s) own safety,” said Osmeña, who thought of the idea after eight fires hit the city this month and ate up some P7 million in properties.
Seven of the fires were reportedly blamed on electrical misuse, including that of Christmas lights.
Osmeña considered as high-risk areas those that are densely populated and can’t be penetrated by fire trucks.
Organizations
He will meet with barangay officials and leaders of urban poor and homeowner organizations tomorrow to get their cooperation.
He said that since there is no ordinance to compel the people to follow, he will explain to their leaders to hopefully convince them of the wisdom of his plan.
“I just want the public to be aware. That they should be vigilant. Kay ang sunog padayon pa (Because the fires are going on),” he said.
The wrong use of Christmas lights has been blamed for causing fires.
Some of the lights were of poor quality or were overused, resulting in short circuits. The increased use of electricity for Christmas lights has also led to power overloads.
Also yesterday, the Cebu City Council, through a resolution authored by councilors Edgardo Labella and Gerardo Carillo, declared Sitio Sindulan, Barangay Mabolo under a state of calamity.
110 families
That was after a 52-minute fire displaced 110 families and destroyed some P600,000 worth of properties Monday afternoon.
The council also authorized the use of the City’s calamity fund for relief and rehabilitation efforts for the 431 persons affected.
In a report to Carillo, City Fire Marshal Esmael Codilla said the fire broke out in a densely populated area starting from the two-story house of a certain Generoso Arnaiz.
“Fire rapidly spread and burned another 50 residential houses (which are) mostly made of light materials,” he said. (RHM)
|
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
SUPERBALITA
WEEKEND
|
