CEBU CITY – Celebrate the New Year with utmost care.

The Police Regional Office-Central Visayas (PRO-7) issued this reminder to the public as it geared up for zero firecracker-related incidents during the New Year revelry.
Brig. Gen. Jerry Bearis, director of PRO-7, said some 2,022 policemen will be deployed to ensure the strict implementation of firecracker-related regulations and ordinances.
Bearis urged the public to only use allowed firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices under the 2012 Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations Governing the Administration and Enforcement of Republic Act 7183.
He said the public will now return to the pre-pandemic way of celebrating New Year in which firecrackers are commonly used.
“As Covid restrictions started to loosen lift up this year, I know we are all excited to bring our suppressed tradition back to life by lighting up firecrackers which symbolizes to signal the start of a safe and prosperous New Year. However, we always remind the public not to abuse the law. Let us still be responsible and cautious for the safety our families and loved ones,” Bearis said.
Bearis reminded all gun owners to take full responsibility and avoid indiscriminate firing. He urged the public use alternative noisemakers during the New Year revelry.
Avoiding the use of firecrackers to welcome the New Year will ensure a safe celebration, said Senior Fire Office 3 Wendell Villanueva, information officer of the Cebu City Fire Office.
Aside from injuries, using firecrackers may also cause fires, Villanueva said.
He said barangay fire brigades will be on alert to enable them to readily respond to emergencies.