President Duterte has changed his mind about the planned imposition of a total firecracker ban in the country next year.
The President announced Monday night that he would allow instead only government-led use of firecrackers in communities during the New Year's Eve revelry.
The local government authorities, particularly the mayor and chief of police, must supervise and control such community fireworks display and ensure compliance with safety and health protocols, Duterten said.
"So as not to deprive the Bocaue residents of their livelihood, I will only allow firecrackers and everything to be done by government and it would be the mayor himself and chief of police who should this -- yung fireworks sa community," he said during a televised address.
"It behooves on the mayor to see to it that everything is in place and everybody is safe....we will only allow it when it is done by government. 'Yun na lang ang mag-compromise tayo (That's our compromise)," he said.
Last month, the President disclosed plans to implement a nationwide ban on dangerous firecrackers for public health and safety in 2021.
Duterte has lamented the annual cases of firecracker-related injuries and how its manufacturers have long skirted responsibility for their products due to lack of labels and safety warnings. As a result, the government is having difficulty running after these firms in case of injuries, he said.
In his remarks Monday, the President said firecrackers manufacturers should sell their products only to the concerned local government units or the police force. He said these manufacturers will earn income since many local government units would likely launch their own community fireworks display to welcome the New Year.
He added that it was up to the local government units to decide about their fireworks display "as long as it will not explode the entire Philippines."
The Department of Health earlier reported a drop in the number of firecracker-related injuries during the New Year’s celebrations. Around 100 cases were recorded in 2020, or 75 percent lower than the cases in 2019.
In 2017, Duterte signed Executive Order No. 28 regulating and controlling the use of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic device in a bid to curb fire-related injuries and casualties. Only community firework displays are permitted as designated places under police supervision.