By NITZ ARANCON
Correspondent
A GOVERNMENT task force yesterday started a crackdown on illegal firecrackers being sold in the streets here.
The Regional Task Force on Illegal Firecrackers hauled off boxes of firecrackers being sold on the streets around Agora in Lapasan, Carmen, Cogon, Puerto, and Bulua.
The griup is composed of representatives of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), National Police, and Department of Health (DOH).
DOH spokesman Aian Caridad said the ongoing crackdown is in line with the health department’s “zero casualty” campaign ahead of the Christmas and New Year’s Day celebrations.
Caridad said the task force only allows firecrackers to be sold in designated areas on JR Borja-Corrales St., Save More, SM, and Limketkai Center.
“Ang tanang firecrackers nga gibaligya gawas niini nga mga lugar, illegal na,” Caridad said.
On Monday, the DOH announced the start of its official countdown and surveillance on firecrackerelated injuries ahead of the Christmas and New Year celebrations.
At the same time, the health department reminded once more the public to be extra cautious to ensure that the celebrations would be free from injuries by staying away from illegal and prohibited firecrackers.
Health Secretary Janette Garin said parents should not buy firecrackers as gifts to their children, aside from preventing their children from buying or picking firecrackers.
She repeated her previous advice for the public to do away with firecrackers and instead shift to fireworks displays.
Garin also warned those who are selling prohibited firecrackers to minors, and reminded gun owners to be responsible and avoid indiscriminate firing of guns as a way of merrymaking during the Christmas and New Year celebrations.
Meanwhile, the DOH announced that “Code White Alert” has been raised officially in all DOH hospitals, regional offices and facilities nationwide starting Monday.
“Code White Alert” puts all hospital personnel for deployment and augmentation as the need arises for medical and other services.
Under this condition, all equipment and medicines are also readied in enough numbers for immediate use during emergency cases.
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