THE Department of Health claimed Friday President Rodrigo Duterte’s political will was expected to decrease the number of firecrackers-related incidents during the New Year’s eve celebration across the predominantly Christian nation of 106 million people tomorrow.
An executive order that restricts the use of fireworks will be implemented for the first time this weekend—the new rules and guidelines similar to the ones implemented by Duterte in Davao City during his term as mayor.
As of Dec. 28, the DoH recorded 61 firecrackers-related injuries, suggesting a downtrend from the total 637 cases last year, said DoH spokesman Lyndon Lee Suy.
“People would say, ‘Nagawa ito sa Davao (this worked in Davao), I guess it can be done in the entire country,’” Suy said.
In Quezon City, Mayor Herbert Bautista said giving and selling firecrackers to children was a no-no in the country’s former capital.
“Quezon City is a child-friendly city. That’s why
we have regulations like this to protect our young residents,” he said, referring to City Ordinance 2587.
He reminded the public of the existence of a city ordinance prohibiting the selling, giving or sharing of any type of firecracker to children.
District 3 Councilor Allan Benedict Reyes introduced City Ordinance 2587.
“Records show that there are considerable number of accidents and injuries due to firecrackers, many of which are suffered by children… adhering to the principle of being ‘Child-Friendly Local Governance,’ it is imperative for this city to pass a measure that will reduce if not eradicate accidents and injuries sustained by children due to firecrackers,” the measure read.
