MANILA, Philippines – The number of victims of firecrackers has reached 307 since December 21, 2018.
This is lower than 201 reported cases or 40% during the same period in 2017.
Advocates have expressed support on the proposed nationwide total ban on firecrackers.
One of them is Senator Sherwin Gatchalian.
“I will support a total firecracker ban,” Gatchalian said.
Gatchalian said he may support the use of a number of firecrackers only on certain venues.
“We will only allow institutional use such as malls, commercial establishments and government. Permits will be strictly monitored,” he added.
He also suggests a strict monitoring on the issuance of permits on the use of firecrackers which the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) agrees.
“Napakaganda rin kasi sa ibang bansa, nakikita natin na ganun rin na hindi nagpapaputok ang mga tao talaga. So total ban talaga. Kundi nagkakaroon lang ng mga community fireworks display na state sponsored na mayayaman na company o kaya mga local government,” explained Fire Director Leonardo Banago of the BFP.
The BFP also do not believe that regulating or totally banning the use of firecracker would bring huge impact to the country’s firecracker industry.
“Mga imported na iyan, Ang ating mga produkto so ang mga sinasabi dito na mga manufacturing company dito sa Pilipinas, nagi-import na ng finish products coming from China then niri-repack nila ditto. Pinapalitan ng labelling. Parang ganoon lang. Nilalagyan lang ng local label,” argued Banago.
At present, only a few cities in Metro Manila imposes total ban on firecrackers.
Among them is Las Piñas city.
As of press time, the proposed legislation on the nationwide ban or a more stringent regulation on firecrackers remain pending at the committee level in both Houses of Congress. – Marje Pelayo (with reports from Nel Maribojoc)
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