BETTER THAN BIG BANGS It’s that time of the year when it’s just fine to literally toot one’s own horn—and there’s plenty up for grabs in Manila’s Divisoria market—rather than risk life and limb by lighting firecrackers. The Metro Manila police hope to limit the use of these dangerous noisemakers by designating about 400 “community firecracker zones” across the capital. MARIANNE BERMUDEZ
The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) has listed over 400 community firecracker zones, the only places in Metro Manila where merrymakers can set off fireworks to welcome the New Year.
An environmental watchdog, however, has called on the public to use substitute noisemakers such as pots and pans, toy horns and improvised maracas, saying these were safer for humans and the environment.
“We hope to promote alternative merrymaking that will protect life, limb and property and put public health and safety ahead of profit,” said Thony Dizon of EcoWaste Coalition which launched its “Iwas Paputoxic” campaign.
NCRPO chief, Director Guillermo Eleazar, said that as of Friday, there were 404 firecracker zones broken down into 166 in Quezon City; 93 in the cities of Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas and Valenzuela; 73 in Manila; 52 in the southern cities of Pasay, Parañaque and Taguig; and 20 in Pasig, Mandaluyong and San Juan.
Eleazar, however, clarified that the public would be allowed to use only legal firecrackers inside these zones like baby rocket, bawang, El Diablo, Judas belt, paper caps, pulling of strings, kwitis and small trianggulo.
Pateros, Muntinlupa, Las Piñas, Makati and Marikina are implementing a total ban on firecrackers in line with Executive Order No. 28 which the President signed in June 2017.—DEXTER CABALZA AND MARIEJO S. RAMOS