GUAGUA Mayor Dante Torres had ordered the ban on the sale of firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices in Guagua town, Pampanga, citing safety during the duration of the Yuletide season.

Torres issued Executive Order No. 59, which orders the total ban on the sale and use of firecrackers in the entire town. The order took effect on Tuesday, December 2.

Under the said order, only community fireworks displays are encouraged but would have to secure all necessary permits in conformity with national government standards and regulations.

“The pandemic is still raging and we could not afford to congest our hospitals with the usual victims of firecracker accidents,” Torres said, adding people must celebrate Christmas and the New Year safely and not contribute to further burden the already stretched health sector.

Torres had also instructed local police to implement the order in coordination with municipal agencies.

The mayor has also ordered the confiscation and destruction of prohibited firecrackers per local procedures.