By JOSEPH PEDRAJAS
Only authorized community fireworks displays will be allowed in Metro Manila for the New Year’s Eve as a safety precaution against the further spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and other health risks.
According to Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) General Manager Jojo Garcia, house-to-house lighting of fireworks and firecrackers will be prohibited and violators will face fine or imprisonment depending on the ordinance passed by their respective cities.
But, Garcia added, those who wish to apply for permits to hold community fireworks may do so by getting permit from the Philippine National Police (PNP), as what has been done by some in Pasay, Makati and Quezon cities.
“Yung iba pong gustong mag-apply pa, sa PNP po sila mag-aapply. Pero yung mga house-to-house fireworks, ‘yan po ‘yung iniiwasan natin kasi nga napakadelikado n’yan. Alam naman natin na during New Year’s Eve, maraming naho-hospital dahil napuputukan,” Garcia said Wednesday in a Laging Handa press briefing.
“Kausap ko po si Sec. (Eduardo) Año sa DILG (Department of Interior and Local Government), na pinapayagan lang ‘yung mga community fireworks, meaning ‘yung mga organized na malalaki. Like yung Pasay may na-approve dyan, sa Makati at sa Quezon,” Garcia said.
Selling of “legitimate” fireworks or those not prohibited by the existing rules is still allowed, but buying them is not, Garcia added.
“Siguro pwede sila magbenta, ang problema di rin pwede magamit,” Garcia said when asked if selling of fireworks on the streets is prohibited.
According to Garcia, the Metro Manila Council passed on December 28 a resolution enjoining the local government units in the National Capital Regional to strictly enforce firecracker ban or pass a measure against the use of it.
He said, the resolution was made in a bid to prevent the spread of COVID-19 through mass gathering and other health risks that firecrackers pose.
“Hindi na makakatulong na ‘yung mga hospital natin ay magiging busy pa sa mga napuputukan (It’s no longer helpful if our hospitals get busy due to patients injured by firecrackers),” Garcia noted as he said authorities do not want hospitals to get fully occupied amid COVID-19.
Citing previous advisory from the Department of Health, Garcia also discouraged the public from using torotot or the traditional Yuletide revelry horn as it might also spread the virus through saliva when it is shared.
Instead, Garcia said, the public might use household items such as cans and aluminum pots to make noise.
