-
ZAMBOANGA CITY (Mindanews/31 Dec.) – The city government had cancelled the New Year countdown and fireworks display, Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar announced Monday.
Salazar explained the decision was based on the imposition of the ban on the display, sale and distribution for use of firecrackers and pyrotechnic products this year in this city.
The New Year’s Eve revelry will be purely an occasion for family gathering at home, she added.
“It will be a family gathering in the homes of the Zamboangueños to pray to God and look forward for a peaceful 2014,” she said.
The mayor had issued Executive Order BC-23-2013 temporarily suspending the display, sale and distribution for use in the city of Zamboanga of firecrackers and pyrotechnics for the Yuletide Season this year.
Salazar based the order on City Council Resolution No. dated November 6, 2013 requesting her to issue an EO temporarily suspending the sale, distribution and use of firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices this year.
She also cited the 20-day siege last September that had brought untold trauma, stress and anxiety to the residents as the main reason for issuing the order.
For the past three years thousands of residents would gather at the scenic Paseo del Mar for the New Year’s Eve countdown and fireworks display courtesy of the city government and the private sector.
The countdown and fireworks display at the Paseo del Mar was initiated and led by then mayor and now first district Rep. Celso Lobregat. (MindaNews)