ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — The city government directed the police to enforce the total firecracker ban ordinance and spare not even minors from apprehension to ensure zero firecracker-related casualty for four years.
Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar assigned City Police Office Director Senior Superintendent Thomas Joseph Martir to lead the strict implementation of the ordinance which started four years ago following the 2013 Zamboanga siege.
Salazar directed the police to thoroughly review the ordinance and cases. She said that violators, even minors should be blottered.
“This is to send a very important message and to prevent other incidents,” Salazar said.
She said that even the proposal for an institutional fireworks display is not possible in the city in view of Ordinance No. 431, also known as the Firecracker Ban Ordinance of 2014.
The ordinance prohibits the use, sale, possession, distribution, storage and manufacture of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices in the territorial jurisdiction of Zamboanga City.
“As mayor, I will not allow that to happen under my watch,” Salazar said.
Despite othe ordinance, a police report revealed that two minors on Thursday sustained injuries due to firecrackers recorded at police stations 6 and 7 in this city.
Salazar appealed to the parents or guardians to forbid children from using the banned items during the New Year’s revelry to prevent any accident.