IT’S that time of the year again where merry-making would sometimes turn to weeping as others are rushed to hospitals due to firecracker incidents.
It has since become an annual routine for the media to monitor firecracker incidents every end of the year. We had seen it on television, read it on the newspaper or perhaps, and heard it on the radio that a number of people were hospitalized in the previous years all because of firecrackers.
Since President Rodrigo Duterte became the country’s highest leader, talks about implementing Davao City ordinances to the entire country has been circulating, including the firecracker ban that is being implemented in the city for 16 years already.
There are mixed reactions on the local ordinance which is supposed to be implemented in a nationwide scope via Executive Order.
Those in favor of the firecracker ban say that it is good to have a hazard-free celebration devoid of any incident related to firecrackers.
Pet lovers also welcome it since New Year may be one of the happiest seasons for humans but it is a dreadful season for dogs that are vulnerable to extreme noises produced by firecrackers.
Those who oppose the move, however, say firecrackers are part of the Filipino way of celebrating the holidays and enjoy it more. We beg to disagree though.
While it is true that firecrackers add to the fun, its absence does not make Christmas and New Year less of a celebration. There are actually other means where one can enjoy the holidays without compromising safety.
Davao City has actually survived many years of Christmas and New Year celebrations since the firecracker ban was implemented through the Davao City Ordinance 060-02. As a result, the city has come up with an annual Torotot Festival for Dabawenyos.
Though there was a previous plan to push for the implementation of the firecracker ban nationwide through an Executive Order issuance, it was put on hold as the government is considering other factors that will be affected by imposing this policy.
For one, many who are relying on the firecracker industry for their livelihood will suffer. It was a great move for the administration to consider them.
Once people realize that firecrackers are not necessities to make the holiday celebration joyous, it will be easier to implement the ban.
Hence, the act to put its implementation on hold in consideration of the losses that others may face through its sudden implementation is only understandable. After all, leadership is always about seeing all sides of the coin.
If it is not going to be really pushed through this year, we hope that it will be appropriately implemented next time.
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