Mandaue fire dep’t pushes firecrackers ban

FOR safety reasons, the Mandaue City Fire Department recommended to ban the sale of firecrackers within the city.

Mandaue City Fire Marshall Chief Insp. Rogelio Bongabong wrote to Councilor Demetrio Cortes stating that there is no area in Mandaue City that is suitable for selling firecrackers.

Cortes chairs the council committee on police, fire and penology,

His recommendation is based on a city ordinance that prohibits the selling of firecrackers within 50-meter-radius from houses and buildings.

Bongabong also said the sale of firecrackers in the parking lot of a big mall in Mandaue City last year was dangerous as cars are parked nearby.

Bongabong is hoping that the council pass an ordinance to totally ban the selling of firecrackers.

He said this will be their basis in cracking down on distributors of illegal firecrackers.

Hoping to educate the youth on the ill effects of playing with firecrackers this Christmas season, the Mandaue City Fire Department is conducting an information campaign in different elementary and high schools.

They hold visual presentation showing photos of firecrackers victims who suffered severe injuries.

They also remind the students not to use substandard series lights at home and make sure to turn them off before going to bed to avoid fire. Reporter Jucell Marie P. Cuyos