Tuesday, November 25, 2008 DOH to seek total ban of firecrackers
THE Department of Health (DOH) will ask Congress for a total ban of fireworks and firecrackers.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, during Monday’s launching of the DOH’s New Year’s Day safety program, said they will submit a position paper to the House of Representatives asking for the easing-out of the firecracker manufacturing sector.
“We'll submit a position paper to Congress so that these firecrackers would be banned once and for all,” he said.
DOH records showed that a total of 869 injuries recorded from the period of December 21, 2007 to December 5, 2008, with 853 being fireworks-related.
“If you would ask me, all firecrackers are illegal because they are destructive. There is no safe firecracker,” he added.
Although, Duque said that the proposal will not easily happen as it would require talks among the stakeholders, including fireworks manufacturers.
“We had consultations with the firecracker industry. Of course they are against (the total ban) because they would lose their business and their employees would lose jobs. So we're discussing the phase-out (of the firecracker industry) and phase in (of new livelihood),” he explained.
On the other hand, the DOH chief urged the parents and guardians to intensify their efforts to guard their children against the use of fireworks and firecrackers.
He noted that the injuries suffered related to fireworks and firecrackers will be prevented and avoided if the public would not use them. (FP/Sunnex)
