BFP: Use loud noise as ‘cracker substitute

CEBU, Philippines - Instead of firecrackers, Mandaue City fire officials have recommended the use of loud noise for safer celebrations this holiday season.

“Mogamit na lang sila og sound system, pakusgan nila para wa’y injury or sunog,” said Senior Fire Officer 4 Roy Garcia, who heads the operations of the city’s Bureau of Fire Protection.

In the Philippines, the holidays, especially the New Year, are welcomed with firecrackers as this is believed to shoo away bad spirits.

Garcia, however, said if people really believe exploding firecrackers can cast away evil spirits, residents can “record the sound of the exploding firecrackers and just play it on their loud speaker system for a similar effect.”

This way, he said, no one will be harmed and no fire incident may occur.

The BFP official also said while they want to totally ban the sale and use of firecrackers, they cannot just easily do so without prior approval from the local government.

He said they can only discourage the public by telling them the possible consequences.

He said for the coming Christmas and New Year’s Day celebrations, the city will not provide firecracker-vending zones, where people sell and buy firecrackers.

Other LGUs have designated firecracker zones away from residential places to prevent the spread of fire to the peopled area, but after the 2011 incident, wherein a selling area of fireworks exploded and killed some people, Mandaue had since stopped the practice.

Garcia also said firecracker vendors need to secure permits from the Firearms Explosives Security Service Agency and Guards Supervisory Section (FESSAGS) before they are allowed to sell, otherwise the products will be confiscated.

In 2014, there was no firecracker-related fire incident in Mandaue, according to Garcia. From January to November 19 this year, the city recorded 20 fire incidents, and not one was related to firecracker use.

Garcia said the BFP wants to maintain the clean record.

To achieve this, he said they will be going to the different areas in the city, especially in the densely populated places, to remind residents that firecrackers can cause fire and injury.

However, Garcia clarified that while firecrackers are discouraged and possibly banned, pyrotechnic products are still allowed.

He explained that firecrackers are dangerous as they explode on land while pyrotechnics do in midair.

“(We) discourage ang pagpamaligya sa firecrackers. As much as possible, wala gyu’y mamaligya,” he said. (FREEMAN)