By Paola Gaabucayan and Shiela Mae Butlig
LAWMAKERS in Cagayan de Oro and Misamis Oriental are open to Malacanang’s call to ban the use of firecrackers but still, most of them prefer stricter regulations.
Councilor Lourdes Darimbang said she favors a ban on firecrackers, including sky lanterns, because of the dangers these pose. She said she is contemplating on authoring an ordinance to ban firecracker use in the city.
But she said fireworks like “fountains,” sparklers, and the like can be excluded from the ban.
Misamis Oriental provincial board members were open to the idea of banning the use of firecrackers in the province but like Darimbang, they prefer stricter regulations and a few exemptions.
Not one of the Misamis Oriental legislators however expressed interest in authoring such an ordinance.
Provincial board member Mercy Grace Acain said a ban on firecrackers is possible if one of the provincial lawmakers propose an ordinance.
“Puede na mabuhatan basta naa’y mag-propose nga ma- study-han sa committee pero kinahanglan ug legal basis ngano i-ban ug kinahanglan pud ma-invite sa committee ang mga stakeholders para makuha pud ilang opinion and sentiments regarding sa paghimo ug ordinance banning fireworks,” Acain said.
But she said she would prefer stricter regulations instead of a ban “kay ang katuyuan sa fireworks ang paghatag lingaw sa Christmas ug New Year.”
Heckert Emano, another provincial board member, said he would just follow. “If majority ang gusto, then I will support it.”
Emano said what can be done is designate areas in every municipality where fireworks can be exploded and displayed, and be very strict about this rule.
Emano said only experts should be allowed to handle the fireworks display.
Provincial board member Vincent Pelaez said the decision to ban firecracker use or not should be left in the hands of local governments. He cited the Davao government, for instance, to point out that a regulation or a ban on firecxracker use should be the discretion of local officials.
Palace Stand
On Thursday, Malacañang called on private and public stakeholders to meet soonest and agree on safe alternatives to fireworks, which had injured more than 800 people during the recent holiday revelry.
Presidential Communications Operations Office head Herminio Coloma Jr. said all parties concerned should iron out their differences on the various approaches to the problem, which range from community fireworks to making safer fireworks.
“We can ill afford to wait for another New Year’s Day celebration marred by similar injuries or deaths. Hence, we call on all stakeholders to reach a common stand on safer alternatives for celebrating New Year’s Day through local ordinances or enactment or amendment of existing national laws,” Coloma said.
Coloma said fireworks have posed a threat to safety and health, as the gunpowder inside them can cause tetanus.
Worse, he said, such fireworks harm the environment because of their emissions.
“This is why our call is for consensus and the participation of all sectors in society. We must have coordination and consultations so all sides will be heard and there will be no unintended or deleterious consequences,” he said.
He said all concerned sectors should discuss an effective deterrent to using fireworks, considering many Filipinos want to greet the New Year with noise.
Meanwhile, Coloma said the National Police continues to implement the regulation of firearms with President Aquino himself stressing the need for it.
“We agree there is a need to be stricter in regulating the use of firearms,” he said. (with reports from PNA)
Disclaimer
Mindanao Gold Star Daily holds the copyrights of all articles and photos in perpetuity. Any unauthorized reproduction in any platform, electronic and hardcopy, shall be liable for copyright infringement under the Intellectual Property Rights Law of the Philippines.
