MANDALUYONG and Pasay cities have imposed a total firecracker ban during festivities in welcoming the new year.
Mayor Carmelita Abalos issued Executive Order No. 39 enforcing the total ban on the manufacture, distribution, sale, and use of firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices in the city.
“This order is intended to ensure the integrity of the health of the City’s constituents especially during the existence of the COVID-19 pandemic while retaining the festive spirit of the Filipino people during the celebration of the New year,” Abalos said in the order.
“The City recognizes that in order to further reduce firecracker-related injuries which would require emergency care and treatment at hospitals and to prevent mass gatherings, the manufacture distribution, sale, and use of firecrackers in the City must be prohibited,” the order read.
Meanwhile, Pasay City Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano said the ban is in line with President Duterte’s Executve Order No. 28 which regulates and controls the use of firecrackers.
The Pasay mayor also said that the ban is also in accordance with a resolution from the National Capital Region Peace and Order Council, which recommended the banning of the use of firecrackers in Metro Manila.
The Philippine National Police also affirmed that it will not issue special permits for community fireworks display to discourage mass gatherings as a measure against the spread of Covid-19.
Thus, Mayor Emi said in her executive order that “the use of firecrackers shall be banned in all areas within Pasay City during the New Year Celebration.”
According to Mayor Emi, the local government will not issue any special permit “pursuant to the authority provided under Executive Order No. 28, Series of 2017.”
Mayor Emi instructed the local police as well as barangay officials, the Pasay Public Order and Safety Unit, and the Pasay City Environment and Natural Environment Office to strictly enforce the ban.
