President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Thursday encouraged heads of local government units (LGUs) to organize fireworks display and set up a common viewing area for their constituents this holiday season.
Speaking at a chance interview in Manila, Marcos said LGU officials must do this so people will not buy on their own fireworks that might be unauthorized and dangerous.
"Ang gawin na lang natin ay (What we should do) I will enjoin the LGUs, instead of allowing our people to have their own firecrackers, gumawa na lang kayo ng magandang fireworks display para sa inyong mga constituent (Organize a good fireworks display for your constituents)," Marcos said after leading the distribution of Christmas gifts and livelihood aid to children and families at the Luneta Park.
The President then warned Filipinos about the dangers and health effects of firecracker use, especially those that result from reckless and indiscriminate use of dangerous firecrackers.
"Huwag muna tayong magpaputok at alam naman natin kung minsan delikado ‘yan. Lalo ngayon at maglalabas sila ng mga paputok na hindi natin alam kung saan galing, kung maayos ang pagkagawa (Let's not use firecrackers anymore as we know that it's dangerous, especially now that we don't know how they are made)," he said.
This, as the Department of Health (DOH) recently noted a downward trend in firecracker-related injuries in the country, citing figures in recent years.
DOH Officer-in-Charge Maria Rosario Vergeire, in a forum on Tuesday, said 122 cases were recorded in 2020, while 128 were reported last year.