Total ’cracker ban proposed in Zamboanga City

 ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — The fire district of Zamboanga City yesterday endorsed a proposal totally banning firecrackers and other pyrotechnics devices in the wake of a recent explosion that killed five people and wounded 38 others.

City fire marshal Christopher Morales made the recommendation during an emergency meeting called by Mayor John Dalipe to prevent the incident from happening again.

The Bureau of Fire Protection said the explosion at a firecracker warehouse in Barangay Tetuan was the first to occur in the city since the local goverment lifted the ban it earlier imposed, following amendments to its firecracker ordinance in 2013.

Three similar incidents occurred years before the ban was lifted.

The proposal will require the passage of a new city ordinance as there is an existing policy allowing the sale and use of fireworks for entertainment or celebration.

Dalipe suspended the business permit issued to warehouse owner Jonathan Chua pending results of an ongoing investigation.

The mayor ordered the city engineer’s office, the police and barangay officials to inspect all warehouses and storage facilities in the city.