MANILA – After years of mulling it, President Rodrigo Duterte might totally ban the use of firecrackers and pyrotechnics in the Philippines, especially during the eves of Christmas and New Year.
In his public address on Monday, President Duterte said he might come up with an executive order prohibiting firecrackers and pyrotechnics by next year.
“It’s really a dangerous thing, and for reasons of public safety and health,” President Duterte said. “By mid-year, I may issue the necessary documents totally banning paputok.”
President Duterte also warned Filipinos who like to fire their guns as noisemaker on the holidays.
“I’m reminding policemen, military men and civilians – licensed or not – holding firearms, do not [try]. Do not,” Duterte said. “Kapag nahuli ka dito sa pagpaputok mo, papahirapan kita”
The Department of Health earlier reported that firecracker-related injuries were down 35 percent from Dec. 21 to early morning of Jan. 1, 2020, during the same comparable period leading to New Year’s Day in 2019.
The DOH claimed that President Duterte’s 2017 executive order limiting the use of firecrackers in the country could be credited for the decrease in cases, along with information campaign./PN
