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Abalos urges LGUs to ban use of firecrackers on New Year revelry

Philippines | National

Abalos urges LGUs to ban use of firecrackers on New Year revelry

By Chito Chavez

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin “Benhur’’ Abalos Jr. called on all local government units (LGUs) to enact ordinances that bans the use of firecrackers use fireworks displays.

Instead, Abalos has pushed for the supervised fireworks display in the LGUs designated and common areas where the public can watch the traditional New Year’s revelry.

"Ako ay nananawagan na sana ay magkaroon ng lokal na ordinansa (banning fireworks display in communities). Anyway kaya namang i-celebrate ang Bagong Taon nang maayos (kahit walang paputok) (I appeal to have local ordinances banning fireworks display in the communities. Anyway, the New Year can be celebrated safely without the firework displays),’’ Abalos said.

“His (Abalos’) call came during the Lab 4 All: Christmas for All gift-giving activity at the Jose Fabella Center in Mandaluyong City,’’ the DILG noted.

Abalos asserted that his call can help decrease fireworks-related accidents and untoward incidents during the holiday season.

In 2017, former President Duterte signed Executive Order 28, banning fireworks in households or places of residence nationwide, stressing only community fireworks displays supervised by licensed individuals are allowed.

Abalos urged the LGUs to replicate the same measure, which is still being implemented by other local governments such as Davao City and Quezon City.

The DILG explained that the objective of the ban is to minimize firecracker-related injuries in the coming New Year's Eve celebration.

Further, Abalos prodded all the LGUs to replicate the firecracker ban like what Davao and Quezon City had enforced.

“During this year's New Year revelries, the Department of Health tallied 211 injuries related to fireworks, which were 30 percent lower than the five-year average of 300,’’ the DILG noted.

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