As the city of Manila prepares to usher in the New Year, Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan called on residents to celebrate safely, discouraging the use of personal fireworks or firecrackers.
The mayor invited the public to enjoy the city's official fireworks display at the Manila Clock Tower, emphasizing safety and community participation in celebrating the upcoming year.
In line with a directive from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla, she reiterated that strict regulations on firecrackers and pyrotechnics will be enforced this year.
The city has been proactive in its efforts to prevent accidents, having successfully reduced firecracker injuries during last year’s celebrations through similar measures.
In her statement, Mayor Lacuna-Pangan who is also a doctor, warned against the dangers of unsupervised fireworks use, particularly among children.
She noted the risks of serious injuries, especially when children are tempted to handle unexploded firecrackers.
The local chief executive encouraged the use of safer alternatives for noise-making, such as horns, pots, and pans to further prevent accidents.
Through an Executive Order issued before Christmas, the city has outlined clear guidelines for fireworks displays, stating that only licensed and permitted staging areas will be allowed to host fireworks displays, with required special permits from the Bureau of Permits.
The mayor also provided details about the types of firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices that will be allowed for use during official community fireworks displays.
The list of approved items was shared with barangays and posted on the city's social media channels.
Fireworks and pyrotechnics that are prohibited include those without proper labeling, items containing hazardous chemicals like sulfur or phosphorus, oversized devices with short fuses, and any fireworks deemed to pose a risk to safety by the Philippine National Police.
The city government also set clear safety requirements for those applying for permits.
These include having fire trucks on standby, security personnel stationed in key areas to monitor the event, and first-aid teams ready to respond to any emergencies.
Organizers are also required to ensure the proper disposal of debris and other waste materials after the event.
She also emphasized that fireworks that were not specified in the permit application would be considered illegal and could lead to the blacklisting of the event organizer for future applications.
This year’s stricter regulations, she added, are a response to the continuing rise in firecracker-related injuries.
Meanwhile, in cooperation with the Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), the city also launched "OPLAN PAALALA 2024," a parade with various fire and rescue volunteers in the City of Manila to remind the public about the danger of fire that may be caused by the use of fireworks.