By ARGYLL GEDUCOS
President Duterte is considering totally banning the use of fireworks in 2021, citing the risks they pose to the health and safety of the people.
In his public address aired late Monday, President Duterte said he knows that there are people whose livelihood revolves around firecrackers and fireworks.
However, he admitted that he is toying with the idea of making the entire country like Davao where fireworks and firecrackers are banned.
“Maybe, ganito na lang, tutal nandiyan pa tayo ngayon, may one year pa kayo next December. Baka next December i-bawal ko na ang putok (let’s just do it this way. Since you’re still there and we still have one year, maybe next December I will ban fireworks),” he added.
According to the President, he is moving to ban fireworks because they are dangerous things and “for reasons of public safety and health.”
“Public safety, mamatay ka, magkasakit ka. Health is ma-ospital ka, maputol iyong kamay mo (You can die or get sick. You can get hospitalized or amputated),” Duterte said.
“It’s a health problem actually— iyong inhalation ng powder smoke. So, it is a problem of health, public interest, and public safety,” he added.
President Duterte said that it is possible to spend the holidays without fireworks, citing Davao City as an example.
“Sa amin ngayon, maganda man. New Year, Pasko (In our place, the holidays is still a beautiful thing). We celebrate it with the family, may music, gaiety and all. Walang — walang nasusugatan, walang namamatay (No one is getting injured or dying),” he said.
“So, I am putting you on a warning na baka by mid-year, I will issue the necessary document banning totally — totally banning paputok kagaya sa min (fireworks like in Davao),” he added.
In February last year, President Duterte said he would ban the sale and use of firecrackers and fireworks because they cause injury to people, particularly to children.
The President likewise urged the public to just celebrate the New Year quietly by eating together and then turning into bed after. He also raised the possibility of gun attacks being perceived as sounds of firecrackers.
