BY GEROME DALIPE IV
ILOILO City – This city government has issued a strong warning to establishments selling the illegal boga, a modern take on the traditional bamboo cannon noisemaker often used during the holiday season.
Mayor Jerry Treñas stressed the dangers posed by this makeshift device.
“I am calling on all stores in Iloilo City to immediately cease selling prohibited items such as boga. Any store found selling these items will be immediately closed,” Treñas declared.
Boga is often used as an alternative to firecrackers to create loud, celebratory noises. Filipinos have long believed that loud noises drive away bad spirits and attract good fortune, especially during the New Year. However, the use of boga has raised safety and legal concerns.
Boga is constructed using materials such as PVC pipes or tin cans, often repurposed from household items. It operates by igniting pressurized gas or alcohol vapor, creating a loud explosive sound. The fuel is usually denatured alcohol or butane.
Mayor Treñas highlighted boga’s serious risk to public safety, citing past holiday season injuries caused by this device which are particularly attractive to children and teenagers.
The sale and use of boga are outlawed under Republic Act No. 7183 which regulates the sale and use of firecrackers because these PVC cannons are not standardized or professionally manufactured, making them prone to accidents such as explosions and burn injuries.
Violators face stringent penalties, including the immediate closure of their businesses.
Boga likely started in small rural communities where materials for making them were readily available and the need for loud celebratory devices was high.
Initially, it was a community-based craft, passed down informally and evolving over time as people experimented with different designs and fuels.
Alcohol, being a common and inexpensive substance, became the primary fuel for igniting the explosive sound in the device.
The Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO), under the leadership of Colonel Kim Legada, has ramped up its campaign against the sale and use of boga.
On Dec.26, police stations conducted operations across the city, confiscating 34 pieces of the illegal item.
“To ensure public safety, the ICPO has deployed additional patrols in villages, coordinated with village chiefs, and established checkpoints in strategic areas across the city to monitor and apprehend violators,” the ICPO said in a statement.
Legada underscored the device’s history of causing injuries and fatalities, warning violators of legal consequences under Republic Act No. 7183 and other relevant laws.
Firecrackers have been a popular choice for creating noise, but their cost and the risk of injury led to the search for safer and cheaper alternatives. Thus the boga emerged as an accessible option, as it could be made from inexpensive, readily available materials.
Boga’s reputation as an alternative noisemaker contributed to its increasing popularity, although this perception was later challenged by reports of injuries.
Zero incidents reported so far
The City Health Office (CHO) has reported zero firecracker-related incidents so far this holiday season, a record Treñas aims to maintain.
Treñas called on barangay officials to play an active role in combating the proliferation of the illegal item.
“Barangay officials have first-hand knowledge of what occurs in their areas, and their active involvement is crucial in eradicating this dangerous practice,” he said.
Residents are encouraged to report any sale or use of the illegal device to the nearest police station or through ICPO hotlines.
“Let us all work together to ensure a safe and joyful celebration for all Ilonggos. I encourage everyone to celebrate responsibly and avoid using dangerous items,” the mayor added.
Treñas added that the city government, ICPO, and barangay officials remain steadfast in their goal of ensuring a safe and injury-free holiday season for Iloilo City./PN
