By Chito Chavez
The Quezon City government, in a bid to ensure public safety, has designated fireworks zones and displays to welcome the New Year.
Quezon City Logo (MANILA BULLETIN)
Mayor Joy Belmonte stressed that only legal fireworks and pyrotechnics will be allowed to be used for the New Year’s eve revelry.
Anyone who will violate this law will be fined P5,000 and/or will be imprisoned for one year.
“The use of fireworks outside the designated zones and use of illegal fireworks are both prohibited,” added QC Police Major Alexander Barredo, citing Ordinance No. 2618, s.2017.
She reminded that it is unlawful to use fireworks outside the designated display zones.
“We urge the public to use fireworks only within the permitted zones in the city. We hope everyone will cooperate with the city government in promoting safe and responsible celebration during the holidays,” said Belmonte.
Even with the use of legal fireworks in designated zones, Belmonte has reiterated “the use of firecrackers this season must be carried out with utmost regard to its possible hazards and to the safety of every citizen’’.
Several firecracker zones have been assigned in all 12 police stations under the Quezon City Police District’s (QCPD) areas of responsibility.
Each zone will be manned by a team comprised of barangay officials, Barangay Security and Development Officers (BSDO), and volunteers.
“We have assigned a total of 180 firecracker zones all over QC and we will deploy several police personnel who will make rounds of stations to ensure full implementation. Our objective is to ensure that the occurrence of fireworks-related injuries, damage to properties, and even death will be minimized,” said QCPD Police Major Alexander Barredo.
Belmonte, meanwhile, encouraged the public to watch and enjoy community fireworks displays that will be simultaneously staged by the city government and other partner establishments in various parts of the city at 12 midnight to usher in the new year.
The community fireworks displays will be held at Quezon City Memorial Circle, La Loma Area (Calavite corner A. Bonifacio Ave., Barangay Paang Bundok), Novaliches Area (SB Plaza, Barangay Novaliches Proper) and Eastwood Mall Open Park.
“We recognize that fireworks can be a fun way to celebrate but we want to make it safe at the same time. We invite the public to safely enjoy these professional fireworks display in QC,” concluded Belmonte.