BACOLOD City – As the festive season draws near, the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCCPO) is gearing up to inspect the licenses and permits of firecracker manufacturers and sellers in Negros Occidental.
This move is part of an increased effort to ensure public safety during the holiday celebrations, a period traditionally associated with increased use of firecrackers.
Police Major Rhojn Darrel Nigos, the spokesperson for NOCCPO, said that last week orders were dispatched to all police station commanders across the province for a thorough accounting of individuals and entities involved in the distribution, sale, and manufacture of firecrackers.
In a collaborative effort with the Department of Health (DOH) and the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO), NOCCPO is also conducting a review of minor firecracker-related incidents that occurred last year. This review is aimed at understanding patterns and preventing similar incidents this year.
Under the directive of NOCCPO director Police Colonel Leo Pamittan, police commanders have been assigned the ambitious goal of achieving zero firecracker-related incidents in their respective jurisdictions, if feasible.
This objective underscores the NOCCPO’s commitment to public safety and injury prevention during the holiday season.
Lieutenant Colonel Joem Malong, NOCCPO’s deputy director for operations, emphasized in a separate statement the stringent regulations that will govern the sale and manufacturing of firecrackers and pyrotechnics in Negros Occidental.
This decision comes in the wake of a report by the Provincial Health Office and the DOH, which highlighted Negros Occidental as having the highest number of firecracker-related injuries in the Western Visayas region last year, with 72 reported incidents. Notably, there were no amputations linked to these incidents.
Dr. Bea Camille Natalaray of DOH Region 6 pointed out that the majority of those injured in firecracker incidents were young people, with a notable number of cases involving intoxicated adult males.
Highlighting a specific case from last year in La Carlota City, Malong noted that legal action was taken against an individual for breaching firecracker and pyrotechnic regulations.
He further emphasized that all manufacturers are required to obtain proper permits from the Philippine National Police Firearms and Explosives Unit, ensuring compliance with safety standards.
The police force is also anticipating the emergence of new types of firecrackers this season, such as “Good Bye COVID”, and is vigilant against the possibility of these being included in the list of prohibited firecrackers.
Current prohibitions include items like Whistle Bomb, Giant Bawang, large Judas Belt, and Boga, known for their potential hazards. (Watchmen Daily Journal/PN)
