The Philippine National Police (PNP) has started the crackdown on illegal firecrackers and pyrotechnic materials in order to minimize, if not totally stop, injuries during New Year revelry.
PNP spokesman Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac said that all police commanders have already been instructed to conduct operations as a way of preventing both the manufacture and distribution of illegal firecrackers.
Banac explained that early police intervention has resulted in the significant decrease of firecracker injuries in the past two New Year celebrations.
In 2017 for instance, only 307 incidents were recorded in January or 66.95 percent decrease compared to 929 incidents recorded in January 2016.
Banac cited Executive Order No. 28, which was signed in 2017, that provides for the regulation and control of the use of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices.
EO 28 added more teeth to existing laws, particularly Republic Act. No. 7183, that prohibits the importation, manufacture, distribution and use of illegal firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices in support of the campaign of the Department of Health to reduce fireworks-related deaths and injuries associated with the traditional observance of the Holiday Season.
“Despite the downward trend in firecracker-related incidents recorded over the past four years, the fact is, the practice of this traditional dangerous holiday revelry still persists,” said Banac.
“We enjoin as well the local government leaders to exercise the authority and moral ascendancy on their constituents, and take an active and empowered role in this national campaign,” he added.
Banac said that they are confident that they will be able to contribute in further reducing the number of firecracker-related injuries.
“Enough is enough, many lives and limbs have been lost as a result of reckless and indiscriminate use of dangerous firecrackers,” said Banac.
“Perhaps it is high time for our people to rethink the value of this traditional practice and weigh it against personal safety, comfort and public health,” he added. (Aaron Recuenco)
