Got expendable cash for firecrackers? Donate it to victims of typhoon "Odette" instead.
Cabinet Secretary and Acting Presidential Spokesperson Karlo Nograles gave this advice to Filipinos Wednesday, Dec. 29, or two days before the New Year's Eve celebration.
"Imbis na igastos natin sa paputok sa firecrackers na bawal po, ibigay na lang po natin sa mga kababayan natin na nangangailangan (Instead of spending it on firecrackers that are prohibited anyway, let's just give it our countrymen who are in need)," Nograles said in a virtual press conference.
"Those na tinamaan, lubos na naapektuhan ng typhoon Odette, doon nalang po nati ibigay ang tulong natin. I think mas malaking tulong po yan (Let's just give assistance to those who were hit and severely affected by typhoon Odette. I think that would be a better help)," he stressed.
Odette slammed into the Philippines on Dec. 16 and left a trail of destruction in various provinces in the Visayas and Mindanao.
The national government--whose funds were already depleted as a result of its protracted battle with the coronavirus disease (COVID-19)--is racing to provide aid to the thousands of families residing in the typhoon-ravaged areas.
Nograles, in the same presser, also reacted to reports that the Department of Health (DOH) had been recording firecracker-related injuries since early this week.
He said that President Duterte signed on June 20, 2017 Executive Order (EO) No.28, which limits the use of firecrackers to "community fireworks display" only in order to "minimize the risk of injuries and casualties".
"Hindi pa po nagbabago ito...Dapat wala nga po tayong fireworks-related injuries na makikita dahil nga po, community fireworks lang po ang pwede (This has yet to change...Actually we shouldn't see any fireworks-related injuries because only community fireworks are allowed)," Nograles pointed out.
At any rate, the Palace official said the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) are now "cracking down" on illegal firecrackers.
He also called on Filipinos to observe the Department of Health's (DOH) guidelines when it comes to the upcoming New Year revelry. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, wind instruments such as trumpets are also a no-no, he said.
"Ganito na lang po yung gawin nating pagse-celebrate ng New Year. Tumulong tayo sa mga nangangailangan, wag po tayong magpaputok, wag tayong mag-fireworks. Gumamit na lang tayo ng percussion materials. Bawal ang torotot (Let's celebrate the New Year like this. Let's help those in need, let's not use fireworks. Let's just use percussion materials. Trumpets are prohibited). Let's just follow all of the guidelines," Nograles said.