By Dhel Nazario
Pasay City residents were urged to refrain from using firecrackers, and were instead encouraged to use empty cans and other noise makers in welcoming the new year.
These young children blow paper horns inside the Marulas Elementary School gymnasium in Caloocan City. (Albert Garcia / Manila Bulletin File Photo)
“Our celebrations for the coming year 2020 must be safe and truly meaningful as it brings us new opportunities and new hope. We must welcome the new year in good health and shape,” said Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano.
Calixto-Rubiano said that the city fully supported President Rodrigo Duterte’s Executive Order No. 28 which bans citizens from putting up their own fireworks displays or using firecrackers in their residences, and the Department of Health’s (DOH) Iwas Paputok campaign.
“As alternative to firecrackers, we can use empty cans, trumpets, car horns and many others to make our New Year’s welcome noise, but which are safer to us, to our families and our communities,” Mayor Calixto-Rubiano said.
For those who opt for louder and more extravagant revelry noise and scenes, the Pasay Police, in coordination with City Hall and the barangays, have identified two fireworks display zones in the city, namely: SM MOA and Sofitel Hotel.
Mayor Calixto-Rubiano said that she has instructed the police and all barangay officials to strictly enforce the regulation on firecrackers and fireworks.
Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, the City Health Office, Command Center and the Bureau of Fire were also told to constantly monitor during the holidays and attend to anyone who might get hurt or who might need any emergency assistance during the celebrations.
Meanwhile, the Pasay City General Hospital (PCGH) has been put on alert to treat those who might get injured by firecrackers; doctors and hospital staff as well as facilities and medicine have been readied for emergencies.
Apart from maintaining peace and order in the celebrations, the city’s police and barangay officials have also been instructed by the mayor to keep homes and communities safe during the times that families are out celebrating the occasion.