NCRPO cracks down on illegal firecrackers

MANILA, Philippines - In a bid to reduce the number of deaths and injuries during the Christmas and New Year celebrations, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Director Carmelo Valmoria ordered yesterday an intensified campaign against illegal firecrackers.

The NCRPO is part of an inter-agency task force established by the Department of Health (DOH), dubbed as “Ligtas Paskuhan,” to keep track of firecracker-related injuries and deaths and those caused by stray bullets or indiscriminate firing. 

Among the prohibited firecrackers in the NCRPO’s list are “bawang,” “Lolo Thunder,” “Goodbye Philippines,” improvised PVC cannons known as “boga” and different types of fireworks imported from China. 

Earlier, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority urged local government units to establish common fireworks display zones.

In a resolution, the Metro Manila Council – composed of the metropolis’ 17 mayors – said Metro Manila posted 358  firecracker-related emergencies in 2013 because of unsafe practices among revelers.

Most of the injuries were caused by firecrackers such as “plapla,” “kwitis,” five-star and piccolo, which are also in the list of banned firecrackers.

Some cities in Metro Manila like Marikina, Quezon City and Caloocan have set up their own firecracker display zones, where residents can light up firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices.