Manila Bulletin
Philippines
Metro Manila
Mayor Isko urges safe, firecracker-free New Year as Manila kicks off 'Oplan Paalala Iwas Paputok'
Philippines
Metro Manila
Mayor Isko urges safe, firecracker-free New Year as Manila kicks off 'Oplan Paalala Iwas Paputok'
Mayor Isko urges safe, firecracker-free New Year as Manila kicks off 'Oplan Paalala Iwas Paputok'
Published Dec 30, 2025 12:04 pm
|
Updated Dec 30, 2025 02:13 pm
Manila Mayor Isko Moreno led the send-off ceremony for Oplan Paalala Iwas Paputok at the Kartilya ng Katipunan on Tuesday, signaling the city government’s intensified campaign to prevent firecracker-related injuries ahead of the New Year celebrations. The initiative mobilizes police officers, barangay officials, and emergency responders to enforce safety regulations, conduct public information drives, and encourage residents to celebrate responsibly. (Mark Balmores)
Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso on Tuesday, Dec. 30, led the launching of the citywide “Oplan Paalala Iwas Paputok” at the Kartilya ng Katipunan.
In his message, Domagoso emphasized the duty of government personnel, even if it means personal sacrifice during the holidays.
“Wala naman ibang aasahan ang tao kundi ang pamahalaan… madalas mas kasama natin ang tao kesa ang pamilya natin lalo na sa mga ganitong okasyon… umaasa sa atin ang taong bayan (People have no one else to rely on but the government. We spend more time with our people than we do our families especially on occasions like this),” the mayor said.
He also urged personnel to help ease the load of medical personnel as hospitals are already on alert for possible firecracker-related injuries.
“Bagamat handa na ang ospital, gusto ko makatulong din kayo sa ating mga medical frontliners. Naka-ready naman na sila pero malaking bagay kung matutulungan n’yo rin sila (Although the hospital is ready, I want you to also help our medical frontliners. They are ready, but it would be a great thing if you could help them too),” he said.
Nearly 50 trucks from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)–Manila, along with the Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), ambulances, and rescue vehicles, simultaneously sounded their sirens as they paraded through the city's major streets.
The activity forms part of the local government’s yearly effort to remind residents of the dangers posed by firecrackers and illegal fireworks.
The city mayor reiterated his appeal to the public to avoid prohibited fireworks, stressing that noise and celebration can still be achieved through safer alternatives.
“Nanawagan kung pwede iwasan po natin yang mgha paputok na pinagbabawal.. mag iikot ho ang MPD at yung mga tinitinda na hindi pu- pwede, hindi kinikilala ng pamahalaan o pinag babawal ay kukumpiskahin (We are calling for everyone to avoid fireworks that are banned. The MPD will go around and those being sold that are not allowed, not recognized by the government, or banned will be confiscated),” he said.
Mayor Domagoso encouraged manileños to focus on safety as they welcome the New Year.
“Mas ligtas, masaya at maingay ang salubong, at ang importante sama-sama ang buong pamilya—buo, malusog—at manalangin tayo na ang 2026 ay maging magaan sa pamumuhay at maging malusog ang bawat pamilya (The welcome will be safer, happier, and noisier, and most importantly, the whole family will be together—whole, healthy—and let's pray that 2026 will be easier to live in and every family will be healthy),” he said.