The Muntinlupa police confiscated firecrackers in Barangay Putatan on New Year’s Eve.

According to the Muntinlupa police, the firecrackers worth P2,900 were confiscated by the Putatan Sub-Station on Dec. 31.

The firecrackers were abandoned by unidentified persons who sensed the presence of the police.

The confiscated firecrackers were 99 pieces of kwitis, six bundles CPM Luces, three bundles of Sky Rocket luces, five pieces of small gold fountain, eight pieces of Batibot fountain, one small box containing 50 pieces of Corsair (Picolo), 41 pieces of baby rockets, 14 small boxes of glowring wire and two bundles of GLK Silver Sparkler.

Muntinlupa has a total ban on the sale, distribution, possession and use of firecrackers as mandated by an ordinance passed in 2014.

Muntinlupa Ordinance 14-09 prohibits “the manufacture, display, sale, distribution, possession or use of firecrackers or pyrotechnic devices and such other similar devices and the exploding of firecrackers or other similar explosives within the territorial jurisdiction of Muntinlupa City.”

“It is the purpose of this Ordinance to prohibit the manufacture, sale, distribution, possession and use of firecrackers or pyrotechnic devices and such other similar devices and the exploding of firecrackers and other explosives within Muntinlupa City to protect the environment and the health of the people from their harmful effects.”

It prohibits “any person or business establishment to manufacture, sell or offer for sale, distribute, possess or use any firecrackers or pyrotechnic device or such other similar devices within the territory of Muntinlupa City.”

“lt shall, likewise be unlawful for any person to discharge or explode, or cause to discharge or to explode, any firecrackers, or any other explosive or to use any pyrotechnic device or any such other similar device, at anytime and anywhere within the territory of Muntinlupa City,” it added.

For any violation of the ordinance, a fine of P1,000 or imprisonment of two days to one month, or both, will be imposed at the discretion of the court for the first offense.

For the second offense, a fine of P3,000 or imprisonment of three months to six months, or both, will be imposed while for the third offense, violators will face a fine of P5,000 or imprisonment of three months to six months, or both.

The Muntinlupa City government also prohibited the use of open pipe mufflers in vehicles that emit loud noise.