A group of environmental advocates on Thursday backed the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) confiscation and destruction of improvised cannons, commonly known as ‘boga,’ and other illegal pyrotechnic devices.
Since 2006, the EcoWaste Coalition has been conducting the “Iwas Paputoxic” drive, especially amid the holiday season.
“We support the ongoing efforts of our law enforcers to seize and destroy these highly dangerous improvised cannons, which can cause eye and burn injuries,” EcoWaste national coordinator Aileen Lucero said.
“For the health and safety of everyone, especially the children, we appeal to the public to shift to alternative noisemakers this festive season that will not cause bodily harm, emit toxic smoke and generate hazardous trash,” he added.
The group gave the PNP two thumbs up for the heightened efforts of police units in various parts of the country to protect the public health from dangerous ‘boga’ and other pyrotechnic devices not permitted by law.
Based on the latest surveillance data from the Department of Health (DOH), ‘boga’ is one of top causes of firecracker-related injuries since the monitoring started on December 21.
The DOH on Tuesday said it logged 25 firecracker-related injuries over the past week, mostly involving male minors.
