BY MA. THERESA LADIAO
ILOILO City – With the New Year fast approaching, the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) has ramped up its campaign against the use of illegal boga, an improvised PVC cannon noisemaker, confiscating 34 during citywide operations as of Thursday noon, December 26.
Boga, a modern version of the bamboo cannon noisemaker, has become a popular alternative to firecrackers during the holiday season but remains prohibited due to its potential to cause injuries and fatalities.
The ICPO’s intensified efforts, led by Police Colonel Kim Legada, aim to prevent accidents and uphold public safety.
The confiscations were reported across several police stations, with Police Station 8 seizing the highest number at 13 units. Other police stations recorded the following:
* Station 1 – one
* Station 2 – five
* Station 3 – three
* Station 5 – six
* Station 6 – one
* Station 7 – five
Executive Order (EO) 28 and Republic Act (RA) 7183, or An Act Regulating the Sale, Manufacture, and Use of Firecrackers and Other Pyrotechnic Devices, outlaw boga. Violators face legal consequences.
In previous years, boga has been linked to numerous injuries, including severe burns and hearing damage, underscoring the importance of the ICPO’s enforcement measures.
“We call on the public to celebrate the New Year safely and responsibly by avoiding illegal and dangerous items like Boga,” said Legada.
To strengthen the campaign, the ICPO has intensified barangay patrols, coordinated with local officials, and established checkpoints in key areas across Iloilo City to monitor and apprehend violators.
Authorities urge residents to report sightings or incidents involving the use of boga to help ensure a safe and accident-free celebration for all./PN
