Total ban on firecrackers?

Uriel Quilinguing . 

THIS is a timely public reminder, hence I am reposting it.

So the city government of Cagayan de Oro is regulating the sale of firecrackers and pyrotechnics–it should not be sold to minors.

Where and how these are sold must be controlled too.

But as to how and where these can be lighted to explode is left to the adult user.

Prohibited ones, including illegally sourced, are the posing great risks and must be seized and destroyed.

These are that create the thundering blasts and inflicts injury and dismember human bodies the most, often the victims are minors.

Who buys them, more often than not the adults. The minors do not have the money.

Who and how this regulatory power can be fully enforced is a problem. This time they have to ask every buyer their age and, perhaps, even present proof of age.

Come to think of it. Many law-enforcers and agencies linked to the issuance of business permits have already established links with the dealers and distributors. Since it’s Christmas, one could hardly turn down gifts.

Due to the scare campaign of the Department of Health with the use of graphic posters on firecracker victims, there is a growing public sentiment that firecrackers should be totally banned. And I am for it.

But the city government does not want firecrackers banned. Why?

First, many Cagayanons enjoy watching these fireworks.

Second, the local treasury needs revenues from these enterprising seasonal traders.

And, finally, the city government needs enough supply of fireworks for her annual fireworks display at the historic Ysalina Bridge.

(Uriel Quilinguing is a former editor-in-chief of this paper. He also served as president of the Cagayan de Oro Press Club.)