Environmental watchdog calls for safe New Year celebration

Members of EcoWaste Coalition march in Manila on Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018, to urge Filipinos to welcome the New Year through safe and non-hazardous ways. INQUIRER.NET / RYAN LEAGOGO

MANILA, Philippines — Welcome 2019 without fireworks and firecrackers for a safe and non-hazardous celebration.

This was the appeal of environmental watchdog EcoWaste Coalition on Sunday in an event aimed to whip up support for a festive but safe and clean way of celebrating the New Year.

“As the number of firecracker-related injuries soars as New Year nears, we appeal to our barangay and other local leaders from the youth, health, businesses and religious sectors to act as one in promoting alternative merrymaking that will protect life, limb and property, and the environment, too,” Thony Dizon, Chemical Safety Campaigner of EcoWaste Coalition, said in a statement.

The EcoWaste Coalition reiterated the following reminders for public health and safety and for a cleaner environment during the New Year celebration:

1.) No lighting of forecrackers and fireworks
2.) No flying of sky lanterns
3.) No polyvinyl chloride (PVC) boga
4.) No firing of guns
5.) No open burning of garbage

The group then encouraged the public to use substitute noisemakers such as pots, pans, and other kitchen utensils, homemade musical instruments such as maracas and shakers from recycled materials, as well as colorful paper and plastic trumpets.

In the event “Iwas Paputoxic” organized by the group and the Malate Catholic Church, community members from 11 barangays in Manila took part in a parade to campaign for a non-injurious and non-hazardous New Year revelry.

During the parade, the participants held colorful “Iwas Paputoxic” banners and placards as they created sounds from a variety of emission-free noisemakers. /cbb