ZAMBOANGA City Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar has recently approved Ordinance 431 institutionalizing the ban on the use, sale, possession, distribution, manufacture and storage of firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices in this city.
Salazar recently signed the ordinance which the City Council enacted last September 30 as an urgent measure.
It takes effect immediately in accordance with the provisions of Republic Act 7160 otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991.
Salazar said the Ordinance is aimed to permanently eliminate unnecessary injuries, loss of lives, and damages to properties resulting from the negligent handling of firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices.
Salazar said the strict prohibition likewise is in effect "at anytime regardless of the occasion except of such prohibited items are in the form of a cargo or cargoes that will only be used by this city as transshipment point to another ship or vessel or vehicle or other means of transportation to its point of destination outside of Zamboanga City."
However, she said several requirements must be complied in the transshipment of the banned items as stipulated in Ordinance 431.
She said the Ordinance stipulates that items in transit are to be stored temporarily in warehouses and other suggested storage facilities deemed safe as determined by the city government and the Firearms Explosives Security Service Agency and Guards Supervisory Section (FESSAGS) for a period not exceeding three days and that the concerned dealer or supplier shall immediately notify the city and FESSAGS of any and all incoming cargo or cargoes containing the banned items.
She said any person or business establishment found to be violating the Ordinance shall be penalized with a fine of not less than P1,000 nor more than P5,000, or imprisonment of not less than six months nor more than one year or both such fine and imprisonment, at the discretion of the Court in addition to the cancellation of the license or permit issued by the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Business Permit issued by the city government and the confiscation by the city of his inventory or stock.
Administrative fines include P1,000 for first offense; P3,000 for second offense; and, P5,000 for third offense.
The local chief executive, through the City Administrator, in coordination with the City Fire Marshall, the FESSAGS, PNP and such other concerned agencies are directed to enforce the provisions of the Ordinance.
The village chiefs are also deputized to enforce the law in their respective areas of jurisdiction.
A Technical Working Group is created based on the ordinance, for the purpose of formulating rules the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) necessary for the effective and efficient implementation of the said law and to institute any and all relevant measures to ensure its smooth implementation.
The TWC is composed of the mayor as chairperson, the city administrator as vice chairperson and the Chairman of the City Council's Committee on Peace and Order, City Treasurer, City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer, City Environment and Natural Resources Officer, City Health Officer and the FESSAGS representative as members.
Salazar issued an executive order last year in response to a City Council resolution directing the temporary ban on the use and sale of firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices within this city.
Salazar said the City Government was prompted to institutionalize the ban on firecrackers and pyrotechnics devices due to risks it pose on lives and properties. (Bong Garcia)