THE Cebu City Government yesterday destroyed some P40,000 worth of firecrackers and pyrotechnics that was sold outside the authorized selling area during Christmas and New Year.
Selling these outside designated areas is a violation of a city ordinance that regulates the sale, distribution and use of firecrackers and pyrotechnics. Approved in 2011, the ordinance provides that firework and pyrotechnics can only be sold inside shopping malls and at the South Road Properties (SRP).
In an interview yesterday, Prevention, Restoration, Order, Beautification, Enhancement (Probe) chief Racquel Arce said that Task Force Pabuto, together with her office, confiscated the firecrackers and pyrotechnics along Manalili St., Colon St. and Carbon Market.
Among those that was confiscated were kwitis, whistle bombs, fountains and sparklers among others.
Arce lamented that the establishments that sold firecrackers and pyrotechnics outside the malls and the SRP were the same ones they apprehended in 2012. That time, Probe and Task Force Pabuto confiscated a total of P100,000 worth of firecrackers and pyrotechnics.
Because of this, Arce said she has recommended to the City Legal Office to penalize the owners of the establishments.
Under the city ordinance, those who violate its provisions will be imposed a fine of P5,000 or an imprisonment of not more than six months but not less than three months or both upon the discretion of the court.
Asked why they confiscated fewer firecrackers and pyrotechnics devices in 2013 than in 2012, Arce said this was because there were retailers who hid their products.
Mayor Michael Rama, in a separate interview, asked Probe and Task Force Pabuto to intensify this year its campaign against those who are selling firecrackers and pyrotechnics outside the designated selling area.
He asked them to start its campaign six months before Christmas and New Year.