ILOILO – The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in Western Visayas is urging the public to shun firecrackers and pyrotechnics to prevent accidental injuries, environmental pollution and possible coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) transmission during Christmas and New Year revelries.
“Do not use any form of firecrackers. Wala gid ina pulos,” said Senior Superintendent Jerry Candido, BFP-6 director.
Mishaps with firecrackers in the region left 40 persons, mostly children, injured in holiday revelries last year.
Setting off firecrackers during the holiday season, especially when welcoming the New Year, is an age-old Filipino tradition. Without this, the celebration seems incomplete. For the enterprising manufacturers, it is a good source of income.
However, during this pandemic, Candido said staging firework displays or lighting firecrackers will make physical distancing, a basic precaution against COVID-19, extremely difficult to enforce.
Citing various opinions by health experts, Candido also warned that smoke from firecrackers takes a toll on one’s lungs, particularly those suffering from asthma, pneumonia and other respiratory ailments. It could also cause eye irritation, rhinitis and headaches, among others.
The BRP-6 official also appealed to the public to take precautions against fires in the run-up to the New Year.
“Kon ang aton balay or atop human sa light materials, it’s really advisable nga bas-on naton kay bisan naga-halong kita kon ang iban wala, may posibilidad nga masunog ang aton balay,” Candido said.
For a cleaner and safer holiday celebration, the public, according to Candido, should consider going for alternative noisemakers.
“There are so many forms of sounds towelcome sang bag-ong tuig – pulpugon mo ang puertahan, may sound na,” Candido pointed out.
He urged parents to “never allowed kids to play firecrackers”, even the small types that are poisonous if ingested.
Meanwhile, Candido urged firecracker and pyrotechnic vendors to strictly follow Republic Act (RA) 7183 or An Act Regulating the Sale, Manufacture, Distribution and Use of Firecrackers and Other Pyrotechnic Devices.
RA 7183 lists firecrackers that may be sold by accredited manufacturers. These are Baby Rocket, Bawang, El Diablo, Judas’ Belt, Paper Caps, “Pulling of Strings”, Sky Rocket (kwitis), small “triangulo”, Butterfly, Fountain, Jumbo, regular, and special luces, Mabuhay, Roman Candle, Sparklers, Trompillo, and whistle device.
Firecrackers or pyrotechnic devices with explosive content that “could endanger life and limb” are prohibited. These are Piccolo, Super Lolo, Atomic Triangle, Large Judas’ Belt, Large Bawang, Pillbox, Boga, Goodbye Philippines, Bin Laden, Mother Rockets, Lolo Thunder, Coke-in-Can, Kwitom, Atomic Bomb, Five Star, Pla-pla, giant whistle bomb, Kabasi, and oOther unlabeled imported firecrackers.
Beginning this week, BFP-6 will be deploying fire trucks across the region to remind the public of fire hazards./PN
