La Trinidad, Tuba towns ban firecrackers

THE Municipality of La Trinidad will enforce its ban on the manufacture, sale, distribution, possession and use of pyrotechnic devices and firecrackers for the Yuletide and New Year celebration.

Tuba town, on the other hand, has heeded an earlier call by Baguio City Mayor Mauricio Domogan through a proposed resolution regulating the manufacture, sale, use/discharge of firecrackers and pyrotechnics and other similar materials within their territorial jurisdiction with penalties.”

La Trinidad Mayor Romeo Salda said they have to deputize the police for enforcement, conduct patrol on markets and public places in case there are hidden firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices.

"We cannot elude in cases wherein there are firecrackers here coming from other areas," Salda added.

Any person, or business establishment to manufacture, sell or offer, distribute and use within the territory of the valley be unlawful under the "La Trinidad Firecracker and Pyrotechnic devices Ordinance" authored by Councilor Roderick Awingan, Henry Kipas and Estrella Adeban.

"For Christmas and New year, we still have to be cautious. Stakeholders should monitor most especially their children once they have picked up firecrackers that can result to accidents," said Salda.

In order to deter the occurrence of more firecracker-related injuries and prevent loss of life, Salda added other municipalities will also adapt the same law.

"During our meeting in the League of Municipalities of the Philippines Benguet chapter, municipalities mostly in BLISTT areas said they will adapt," said Salda.

Moreover, the mayor added at least before Christmas and New Year, authorities will seal their guns to prevent the occurrences of victims from stray bullets.

For firecracker-related injuries last year, the Provincial Health Office noted a decrease in the recorded cases from 2015 to 2016.

Benguet Provincial Police Office regional director Florante Camuyot said in consonance with the Ligtas Paskuhan 2017, the Benguet police will provide maximum security coverage to be undertaken by different Philippine National Police (PNP) offices and units during the Christmas season.

"Respective PNP personnel will be deployed in the implementation of Ligtas Paskuhan 2017, the operational concept of PNP of Barangayanihan (Revitalized Barangay Peacekeeping Operations) will be observed at all times," said Camuyot.

In Tuba, Councilor Joshelle Ruth Bentrez-Bancilo said the town has recently crafted an ordinance that regulates the manufacture, sale, use/discharge of firecrackers and pyrotechnics and other similar materials within their territorial jurisdiction with the appropriate penalties.

"Although the ordinance have allowed the use or discharge of specific firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices, a safe zone will have to be identified first by the task force for its manufacture and sale, aside from undergoing strict provisions under the ordinance prior to accepting any applicant", Bancilo explained.

At least eight firecracker and pyrotechnic manufacturers and sellers were given permit by the Municipal Government after passing the standards on the sale and manufacturing by Camp Crame.

Based on the ordinance, 10 pyrotechnic devices which underwent the PNP's review and are referred to as explosions, flashes, smoke, flames, fireworks of other pyrotechnic driven effects have been allowed by the municipality.

Among the pyrotechnic devices allowed by the ordinance are sparklers, luces, fountain, roman candle, trompillo, Airwolf, whistle device, and butterfly aside from other types equivalent to the foregoing devices determined by the PNP.

Councilor Jerome Palaoag said they wanted to pass an ordinance which would totally ban the sale, use and manufacture of firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices, but unfortunately, the national law could not be super seeded with a local law", Palaoag explained.

Tuba's ordinance 271 was passed through a majority vote by the council in May this year.

In June 20 of this year, President Rodrigo Duterte carried through an Executive Order released by Malacañang providing regulation and control of the use of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices.

Local chief executives are authorized to promulgate the necessary rules and regulations on firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices within their territorial jurisdiction in conformity with the national standards, rules and regulations. (With a report from Jonathan Llanes)