Tuesday, November 27, 2007 Selling of firecrackers still banned in GenSan
THE City Government and the local police have started monitoring the selling of firecrackers in General Santos as they push to keep the area "firecracker-free" for the sixth straight year.
Mayor Pedro Acharon Jr. said he has ordered the city police to strictly enforce Ordinance Number 11, which banned the use and sale of firecrackers and regulated the use of pyrotechnics during the Christmas season and other local celebrations.
"We will implement (Ordinance No. 11) to the fullest to make sure that we will have a safe and peaceful Christmas and New Year's Eve celebrations," he said.
The City Government started implementing a total firecracker ban in the city in 2003 through an executive order issued by Acharon. The City Council passed Ordinance Number 11 in 2005 to give "more teeth" to the firecracker ban and the regulation of pyrotechnics.
Because of the ban, the city recorded a lesser number of injuries during the Christmas and New Year's Eve revelries. In 2006, the city health office only recorded four cases of firecracker injuries.
Acharon said he specifically ordered the local police to monitor the public markets in the city and other possible firecracker trading areas.
"We will confiscate (the firecrackers) if we will find them and impose hefty penalties on their owners or sellers," the mayor said.
But based on the ordinance, he said they will go slow on the selling of pyrotechnics and fireworks such as the "fountains" and "lusis," provided the sellers secure proper permits from the local government.
The City Government initially imposed the firecracker ban in the city as a measure to preempt attempts by suspected terrorists in carrying out their plots using firecrackers as covers.
Acharon said the measure is very vital as the city continues its vigilance amid the persistent bomb threats spreading in the area.
The mayor added that most modern firecrackers now have become very powerful that one could not really distinguish their difference from a bomb or explosive. (AVE)
