Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Juanito Victor ‘Jonvic’ Remulla directed local government units (LGUs) to ensure that firecrackers are going to be used only in designated community fireworks display areas as the nation welcomes the New Year.
In a statement, Remulla also asserted that community fireworks display areas must have the necessary permits, adding that the LGUs should conduct massive information drives on the dangers of using prohibited fireworks.
The prohibited firecrackers include watusi, piccolo, atomic bomb, kwiton, atomic triangle, super lolo, poppop, five star (big), juda’s belt (big), goodbye bading, goodbye dilemma, goodbye Philippines, plapla, hello Colombia, bin laden, lolo thunder, goodbye napoles, coke-in-can, goodbye chismosa, tuna, kingkong, kabasi, magic bawang, super yolanda, giant whistle bomb, pillbox, mother rockets among others.
He reiterated that the LGUs are mandated to enforce the rules and regulations on firecrackers and other pyrotechnics in their respective jurisdiction to prevent firecracker-related incidents that may lead to injuries or even deaths.
In a memorandum, Remulla called on LGUs to issue ordinances and other regulations banning or discouraging individuals or households from using firecrackers as prescribed by Executive Order No. 28 series of 2017.
He instructed the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) to ensure that fire exhibition safe zones are guided by the provisions of Republic Act (RA) No. 9514 otherwise known as “The Fire Code of the Philippines.’’
Remulla also ordered the Philippine National Police (PNP) to conduct regular inspections, confiscation and destruction of illegal fireworks and pyrotechnic devices while the public was discouraged from patronizing illegal or otherwise hazardous fireworks and instead use alternative noise-inducing items such as horns, recycled containers, pans and other common household items.
As of December 20, 2024, a total of 32 pyrotechnic-related incidents have been recorded by the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) with 24 injured civilians and five casualties reported. (Chito A. Chavez)
The DILG chief likewise called on the LGUs to enforce Republic Act (RA) No. 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 to maintain cleanliness and orderliness in public places during the holiday season.