DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 26 December) — The Davao City Police Office (DCPO) on Tuesday urged Dabawenyos to strictly observe the implementation of the two-decade old firecracker ban to keep the New Year’s celebration in Davao City safe and peaceful.
This after authorities confiscated some firecrackers in some areas here on Christmas Day despite the long-standing prohibition on the use of firecrackers under Ordinance 060-02 or the Firecracker Ban.
Capt. Hazel Tuazon, DCPO spokesperson, told MindaNews that the police were able to seize 13 firecrackers — seven in Bunawan, three in Mandug, and three in Ecoland.
Tuazon said there were no reported injuries due to firecrackers and no one was arrested.
Hundreds of Dabawenyos join the street party at Roxas Avenue, Davao City during the 2nd Torotot Festival’s New Year’s Eve countdown to January 1, 2015. The city banned the manufacture, ale and use of firecrackers and pyrotechnics since Christmas of 2001. MindaNews photo by TOTO LOZANO
Tuazon reminded the public that the use of any forms of pyrotechnic materials is unlawful in the city.
“Giawhag namo ang tanan kung naa silay nakita or nahibaw an nga nagpabuto or nagbaligya ug pabuto nga mag report sa police station (We encourage everyone who knows or is aware of someone who is either selling or using firecrackers to immediately report to the police station),” she said
She also called on those who own firearms to avoid using them indiscriminately during the New Year celebrations to avoid inflicting harm on innocent civilians.
“Giawhag mamo nga mag tinabangay kitang tanan para luwas natong sugaton ang bagong tuig nga hapsay ug malinawon (Let’s help one another so that we will welcome the New Year orderly and peacefully),” she said.
The City Council passed the ordinance on October 15, 2002 and approved by then mayor Rodrigo Duterte on November 6 that same year. But the ban actually started Christmas of 2001 when Duterte banned the sale of firecrackers and pyrotechnics by not issuing business permits to vendors and malls intending to sell these. He said the money for fireworks would be better spent on food. He also announced a P5,000 bounty for anyone who could pinpoint anyone firing a gun during the merrymaking.
Duterte was mayor from 1988 to 1998 and1st district Representative from 1998 to 2001 and had just returned as mayor after his stint in Congress.
It was only in 2002 when the City Council passed Ordinance 060-02 prohibiting the manufacture, sale, distribution, possession, or use of firecrackers or pyrotechnic devices “or such other similar devices within the territory of Davao City,” not only during Christmas or New Year but in the celebration of the Chinese New Year and the Muslims’ Eid’l Fitr (end of Ramadhan).
Since the ban, the city has recorded zero injury and death from firecracker blasts and stray bullets.
The ordinance penalizes first offenders with a fine of P1,000 or imprisonment of 20 to 30 days, or both; second offenders with a fine of P3,000 or imprisonment of from one to three months or both; and third offenders, a fine of P5,000 or imprisonment of from three to six months, or both.
Managers or owners of business establishments caught violating the ordinance will also be held liable and their business permits cancelled on the third offense. (Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)
