MANILA, Philippines — Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año ordered yesterday local government units (LGUs) and the police to intensify operations against manufacturers of illegal firecrackers and pyrotechnics to prevent injuries during the yuletide season.
Año said local officials and the police should strictly enforce rules and regulations on banned firecrackers under Republic Act 7183, or the the Act Regulating the Sale, Manufacture, Distribution and Use of Firecrackers.
“In order to prevent accidents or fires due to firecrackers, the LGUs must enforce the law on firecrackers,” he said in Filipino.
Among the banned firecrackers are watusi, piccolo, super lolo, atomic triangle, Goodbye Philippines, pillbox and Bin Laden.
Año said local chief executives are authorized to promulgate the necessary rules and regulations on firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices within their jurisdiction.
This includes provisions of Executive Order 28 signed by President Durterte which states that the use of fireworks should be confined to community display.
The display of fireworks must also be granted permission by the concerned LGU through a permit specifying the date and time of the fireworks display and the specific area where it will be conducted.
According to Año, the police and LGUs must be vigilant in implementing the stipulations of the law to ensure the continuous decline of fireworks-related accidents during the holiday season.
He also directed the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) to be on alert for firecracker-related fires.
Records from the BFP showed that 14 fire incidents took place nationwide last year, from Dec. 31, 2017 to Jan. 1, 2018, most of which were caused by firecrackers and pyrotechnics.
All government hospitals nationwide are on alert starting Dec. 21 for possible incidence of firecracker-related injuries.
Health Undersecretary Eric Domingo said all the 70 Department of Health (DOH) hospitals nationwide are placed under Code White alert from today until Jan. 4.
Under a Code White alert, all medical teams are on standby for immediate mobilization while health facilities personnel are prepared to respond to any emergency situation or health-related incidents.
DOH declares Code White alert when there is a possibility of emergency condition requiring medical attention during a national event.
Domingo said the DOH is hoping and exerting all efforts for a zero firecracker-related injury this coming holiday season.
A total of 463 fireworks-related injuries were recorded during the holiday celebration last year. Majority of the cases were children and teenagers.
The DOH has reminded the public, particularly young people, not to use any kind of firecracker to avoid injuries.
To prevent firecracker-related injuries, the DOH has long been implementing the “Iwas Paputok” campaign.