DAVAO CITY—There were no firecracker injuries or deaths and no indiscriminate firing of guns during the New Year’s celebration in this city, police said Sunday.
“There were no reported stray bullet victims, no record on indiscriminate firing, no fires or other incidents related to the use of firecrackers and zero firecracker-related injuries,” said Police Regional Office 11 spokesperson Chief Insp. Andrea dela Cerna.
Mayor Sara Duterte credited this to the strict implementation of the ban on firecrackers and pyrotechnics by the Davao City Police Office and Task Force Davao.
She also thanked Davao residents for cooperating with the authorities by celebrating New Year in ways that are safe—without firecrackers.
“Davao is a proof that celebrations are possible even without firecrackers and pyrotechnic materials that could cause harm to us and to our children,” she said.
Since 2013, Davao City has been holding the Torotot Festival, a countdown that draws thousands of Davao residents on New Year’s eve.
The festival, in partnership with Smart, is in support for Davao’s tradition of welcoming the new year minus firecrackers and pyrotechnics.
The countdown for 2017, attended by around 5,000 people at the Rizal Park, was highlighted by competitions: Most Creative Torotot, Best Torotot-inspired Costume, Best Torotot-inspired Cosplay, Best Torotot-Hip Hop Dance Group, and Best Torotot-inspired Zumba Dancer.
Except for the winner of the zumba competition who received P15,000, winners of the other contests each received P50,000.
When he was still mayor of Davao in 2001, President Rodrigo Duterte banned the sale of firecrackers and pyrotechnics.
An ordinance that prohibited the manufacture, sale, distribution, possession, or use of firecrackers and pyrotechnic materials was approved by the City Council in 2002.