The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) is reminding the public that any form of fireworks display of individuals will be prohibited during the Holiday Season.
F/Senior Inspector Bayani D. Zambrano explained that the only exception is the conduct of community fireworks display in designated areas set by the local government units (LGUs) “which will be the only places where fireworks are allowed to be lit.”
Zambrano said “Oplan Paalala: Iwas Paputok 2020” campaign prohibits the use of fireworks to prevent fire incidents.
To ensure public safety, Zambrano said the BFP has intensified its information campaign where its personnel continue to coordinate with the barangays to remind the community members of the dangers of using firecrackers this Holiday Season.
The reminder came as the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said Friday that no firecracker-related injuries have been recorded so far as it urged the public to aim for “zero injuries this Holiday Season in line with the BFP’s ‘Oplan Paalala: Iwas Paputok 2020’ campaign.”
“It is the tradition of Filipinos to usher in the New Year with fireworks as families indulge in their media noche . However, the pandemic and the new normal entail adjustments to ensure everyone is safe at home together,” said DILG Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya.
“Disiplina muna para ligtas ang pamilya, ligtas ang bayan. Ito po ang ating regalo’t ambag para iwas peligro at mapayapang pagsalubong ng bagong taon (There should be discipline for the safety of the family and country. This is our gift and contribution to prevent any danger and peaceful celebration of the New Year),” he added.
Aside from the country’s uphill battle with COVID-19, Malaya noted that it is also the “department’s goal this year to go for zero firecracker-related injuries.”
Malaya maintained that the zero casualty target is attainable.
Based on data from the Philippine National Police (PNP), 307 firecracker-related incidents nationwide were recorded in January 2019 which is 67 percent lower than the 929 recorded incidents in 2016. In 2018, Malaya noted 449 firecracker-related incidents while 652 occurred in 2017.
“There has been a steady decline for the past three years and we can sustain that trend if we remain persistent with our efforts to implement laws and regulations on the use of firecrackers such as Republic Act 7183 and Executive Order No. 28,” Malaya noted.
The DILG has issued Memorandum Circular 2017-105, implementing EO 28 which enjoins the LGUs, the PNP and the BFP to take the necessary actions on the regulation and control of the use of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices nationwide.
Under its provisions, the PNP is also tasked to beef up its force to provide security in identified firecrackers and pyrotechnic zones and firecracker/pyrotechnic displays in respective areas in coordination with appropriate agencies and stakeholders.
Police units are also expected to conduct inspections of the manufacturing complex, warehouse and processing area of manufacturers and dealers in their respective areas of responsibility to ensure the observance of safety guidelines.
“The PNP is authorized to immediately confiscate illegal firecrackers and make arrests when necessary so the industry is advised to just follow the law,” said Malaya.
Among the prohibited fireworks are: Piccolo, Watusi, Giant Whistle Bomb, Giant Bawang, Large Judas Belt, Super Lolo, Lolo Thunder, Atomic Bomb, Atomic Bomb Triangulo, Pillbox, Boga, Kwiton, Goodbye Earth, Goodbye Bading, Hello Columbia, and Goodbye Philippines.
Malaya said that the decrease of firework-related injuries during the last three years “attests that Filipinos can still celebrate the holidays without compromising tradition.”
The DILG also directed the BFP to intensify its Oplan Paalala: Iwas Paputok campaign with the battle cry, “Sa Halip na Paputok, Pito!” which encourages the public to use the whistle during the New Year revelry instead of firecrackers.
It also compels the BFP to be strict in issuing fire safety clearance for fireworks display and fireworks exhibition to ensure that there will be no untoward incidents during such exhibitions.
In 2017, Duterte signed EO No. 28 that limited the use of firecrackers. Since the President’s signing of the EO, Malaya noted that firecracker-related injuries and other incidents have been on a decline.