A few days before the New Year celebration, the Provincial Government of Bulacan, led by Governor Daniel R. Fernando, issued Executive Order No. 40, Series of 2024, to support the “Oplan Ingat Paputok” campaign, promoting public safety and regulating the pyrotechnic industry in the province.
According to the EO, the “Oplan Ingat Paputok” shall be implemented by the Pyrotechnics Regulatory Board in collaboration with all relevant agencies, including local government units, the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and other key stakeholders involved in pyrotechnics regulation.
A 24/7 monitoring of fireworks-related injuries (FWRI) was also implemented, and collaboration of offices in monitoring was initiated through the Public Health Office (PHO) and the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.
On Dec. 18, the PGB, through the Bulacan Pyrotechnics Regulatory Board and Philippine Fireworks Association, initially conducted a fireworks stall inspection at Santiago Compound in Barangay Turo, Bocaue, Bulacan.
“Kasama po ng ating Pamahalaang Panlalawigan at mga inisyatiba para sa kaligtasan ng lahat, hiling ko rin po na sana ay tulung-tulong po tayo at agapayan po natin ang ating mga kapwa Bulakenyo at kapwa Pilipino tungo sa isang maganda at ligtas na Bagong Taon (With our Provincial Government and initiatives for everyone's safety, I also wish that we will help each other and support our fellow Bulakenyos and fellow Filipinos toward an orderly and safe New Year)," Fernando said.
Recently, six fireworks-related injuries were recorded from Dec. 21 to 26 across various municipalities and cities in Bulacan, according to the PHO-Public Health report.
The report stated that the City of San Jose del Monte recorded two cases, while the City of Malolos and the towns of Bocaue, San Miguel, and Calumpit reported one case each.
Fernando assured Bulakenyos that the Provincial Government is doing everything possible to ensure a safe and joyful New Year celebration.
“Gagawin po ng ating Pamahalaang Panlalawigan ang lahat sa abot ng ating makakaya upang hindi na madagdagan pa ang mga kasong ito at agarang tutugon sa oras ng pangangailangan ng ating mga Bulakenyo masiguro lang ang isang ligtas at masayang pagsalubong sa Bagong Taon (The Provincial Government will do everything in its power to prevent any further increase in these cases and will immediately respond to the needs of our Bulakenyos to ensure a safe and joyful welcome to the New Year)," Fernando stated.