THE Mandaue City Government will announce the designated areas where firecrackers and pyrotechnics can only be used for the holidays, according to Vice Mayor Carlo Fortuna.

Fortuna said they will ask the barangay officials to recommend an area in their villages to the City. Any areas to be recommended by the barangay will still be inspected by the police and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).

Fortuna explained that the City is following the Executive Order 28 of President Rodrigo Duterte that regulates the use of fire crackers and other pyrotechnics.

The vice mayor has encouraged Mandauehanons to use “torotot” or trumpet during the New Year celebration.

Lawyer Mae Elaine Bathan, the mayor’s chief-of-staff, said three firms asked the City Government a permit for them to sell pyrotechnics within the malls.

Bathan said the said business permit applicants must first secure a clearance from the BFP. (FMG/SunStar Cebu)