Fire dep't in Mandaue pushes for total ban on firecrackers

CEBU, Philippines - In view of the Yuletide season, the Mandaue City fire department recommends the total ban on the sale of firecrackers in the city.

Fire marshal Rogelio Bongabong wrote Councilor Demetrio Cortes, the city council committee chairman on police, fire, and penology to tell him the city has no place where it would be safe to sell firecrackers.

He said a city ordinance bans the sale of firecrackers within a 50-meter radius of buildings and houses.

He also said the selling of firecrackers in the parking lot of a big mall at the Reclamation Area last year posed danger because of the presence of cars.

Bongabong hopes the council would adopt an ordinance to totally ban the sale of firecrackers.

He is urging the public to refrain from buying substandard lights and to turn off lights before going to sleep.  (FREEMAN)