DAVAO City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio reminded the Dabawenyos to refrain from using firecrackers during the celebration of Christmas and New Year to avoid any firecracker-related incidents.
During the opening of Pasko Fiesta 2019 on Friday, November 22, the city mayor has urged the Dabawenyos to live up to its core values of being disciplined, competent, and being a citizen with integrity.
“I also remind everyone of the dangers of firecrackers. You may lose lives and limb and burn your houses and you also endanger the lives and properties of your neighbors. Let us remember that every time we light up a firecracker, our fellow Filipinos, the evacuees are living in tents, not knowing what their future will be,” Duterte-Carpio said.
She reminded Dabawenyos to "be mindful" in their merrymaking considering that there have been individuals who have been affected by different disasters.
“As we pray and celebrate this Christmas season, let us reflect on our core values for the next three years as we move forward as one Davao and how we can be the best version of ourselves,” Duterte-Carpio said.
The city has maintained its zero-casualties relating to firecrackers because of the existing ordinance in the city banning these items.
Under the City Ordinance No. 060-02 of 2002, it prohibits the manufacture, sale, distribution, possession, or use of firecrackers or pyrotechnic devices and other similar devices and explosives within the territorial jurisdiction of the city and it also bans transporting firecrackers in Davao City.
Under Section 3, first-time offenders will be fined P1,000 or imprisonment of not more than one month but not less than 20 days, or both fine and imprisonment.
For the second offense, violators will be meted out P3,000 or imprisonment of not more than three months but not less than one month, while for the third offense, a penalty of P5,000 or imprisonment of not more than six months but not less than three months will be imposed against offenders.
Meanwhile, she encouraged the public to join and celebrate with the city through the lineup of activities set for Christmas until December 31.
The mayor emphasized that the spirit of Christmas is through giving to those who are in need.
“In 2016, we started the tradition of not organizing Christmas parties so that whatever we save from the parties, we add to the amount to the gifts that we distribute to the children and members of other sectors during the gift-giving events including that of city hall workers,” she said.
This year’s theme for Pasko Fiesta is Toy Factory because Duterte-Carpio said she believes that Christmas is for children and she is hoping to bring a smile across their faces as well as to those who are young at heart.
“We also chose this theme to remind ourselves that Christmas is the time for giving and sharing our blessings especially to those most in need. This Christmas, let us be a gift to each other. Let us make this season even more meaningful by thinking beyond ourselves and by being Dabawenyo for others,” Duterte-Carpio said.