P.5M worth of seized pyro destroyed

CEBU, Philippines - Over half million pesos worth of confiscated firecrackers and pyrotechnics were destroyed yesterday by the members of the Cebu City Task Force Pabuto.

Market Administrator Racquel Arce, member of the task force, said that the 10 boxes of firecrackers and pyrotechnics that they destroyed were confiscated from December 23 to 27 for violation of the City Ordinance that prohibits its sale outside of the South Road Properties.

Arce said the confiscated firecrackers were sold in Carbon Market and Manalili Street. The Task Force Pabuto, which is composed of the City Hall personnel, Cebu City Police and the Bureau of Fire Protection, destroyed the firecrackers by pouring water into it.

The members of the task force have been conducting raids against several stores selling firecrackers and pyrotechnics outside the SRP for violation of the Cebu City Council Resolution 1394.

Mayor Michael Rama yesterday reiterated his call to all firecracker vendors to only display their goods at the designated firecracker zone.

Under the Resolution 1394, firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices sold outside the designated area will be confiscated and destroyed as mandated under City Ordinances 82 and 1962.

The same resolution states that the display, sale and testing of firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices shall be done only at the SRP between December and January.

Those who are caught violating the ordinance will be fined P5,000 and will be required to pay the P2,000 permit fee. – THE FREEMAN