Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Malacañang is seeking a concesus on a proposal to ban firecrackers as the number of pyrotechnics-related injuries continues to rise.
Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. of the Presidential Communications Operations Office said that stakeholders to iron out their differences on the issue.
“We can all afford to wait for another New Year’s Day celebration marred by similar injuries or deaths,” Coloma said at a media briefing Thursday.
“Hence, we can on all stakeholders to reach a common stand on safer alternatives for celebrating New Year’s Day through local ordinances or enactment or amendment of existing national laws.”
He said that firecrackers posed a threat to safety and health as the gunpowder in them is a cause of tetanus, adding that they also harm the environment.
“This is why our call is for concensus and the participation of all sectors in society,” Coloma said. “We must have coordination and consultations so all sides will be heard and there will be no unintended consequences.”
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