Las Piñas City Mayor Imelda Aguilar on Wednesday warned that any person found to have exploded or discharged any firecracker or explosive, or used any pyrotechnic device at anytime, anywhere within the city shall be dealt with according to law.
Aguilar issued the warning following the passage of an ordinance prohibiting the manufacture, display, sale, distribution, possession or use of firecrackers, pyrotechnic devices and such other similar devices and exploding of firecrackers or other similar explosives within the territory of Las Piñas City.
The ordinance, however, did not totally prohibit the use of pyrotechnics, provided it is for a “community fireworks display” in a designated area for the benefit of the residents.
The community fireworks display may only be done during special occasions such as New Year, Christmas, fiestas and the city’s foundation anniversary, Aguilar said.
The mayor explained the community fireworks display may be jointly or separately implemented by the city and/or barangays or owners of malls or similar establishments, with prior approval from the city’s Bureau of Fire Protection.
With the passage of the ordinance and in observance of the holidays, Aguilar ordered the Barangay, City Health Office, Police Department and Bureau of Fire Prevention to intensify its information campaign on the danger to life, limb, property and environment of the use of firecrackers, fireworks and other pyrotechnic devices.
“This is also to protect and ensure the safety of the children,” she said.
Aguilar likewise directed the Business Permits and Licensing Office to inspect business establishments and confiscate all firecrackers and pyrotechnics being displayed, sold and distributed within the city.
To enforce strict compliance of the city ordinance, the mayor asked barangay officials to regularly patrol their areas to look out for possible violators.
Meanwhile, Calabarzon Police Regional Director Chief Supt. Ma. O Aplasca ordered the provincial police directors of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon to monitoring their areas for firecrackers and indiscriminate firing of guns and other weapons for the coming New Year parties.
Aplasca expressed his gratitude to the public and commended the men and women of the regional police for a peaceful and joyful celebration of Christmas.
Since Dec. 16, Police Regional Office 4-A deployed 1,516 policemen for security in places of convergence such as bus terminals, churches, and ports.
To date, Aplasca said there is no recorded case of illegal possession, use, and sale of firecrackers, nor of victims of stray bullets, indiscriminate firing, fire, burning due to firecrackers, and persons injured or killed or property damage in the whole region.
The regional chief directed all unit commanders to continue coordinating with local governments and other concerned partner agencies regarding the designated area for firecracker displays.
He assured the public that PRO4A personnel will relentlessly uphold their mandate in ensuring the people of Calabarzon will experience and enjoy a peaceful and safe New Year celebration.
“I am appealing to the public for support and cooperation so that we will achieve our ultimate goal of having a zero firecracker and indiscriminate firing incidents,” said Aplasca. with Roy Tomandao
