Munti: Firecracker ban still in effect

THE MUNTINLUPA City government announced on Wednesday that the total ban on firecrackers during the holiday season would remain in effect.

Senior Supt. Nicolas Salvador, Muntinlupa police chief, said that the city’s peace and order council, including the police, would put up random checkpoints to ensure that all residents comply with the prohibition.

According to Salvador, the total ban is in line with City Ordinance No. 14-092 which prohibits the display and distribution of firecrackers in Muntinlupa as part of the local government’s efforts “to lower casualties and reduce the harmful effects of pyrotechnic devices [on] health and environment.”

A statement sent by the city government said that in 2014 when the ordinance was first implemented, the City Health Office recorded a “significant decrease” in casualties.

From 18 bodily injuries and one fatality in 2013, only six cases of injuries were recorded the following year.

The total ban on the display, sale, use and distribution of firecrackers has been in place since 2011 but it became official only last year with the approval into law of City Ordinance No. 14-092.

According to a statement, “barangays, owner of malls or similar establishments may sponsor community fireworks display in [a] designated area [but only] upon acquiring [a] permit from [the] Philippine National Police and Bureau of Fire Protection.”

It added that the city government would conduct a motorcade on Dec. 30 to distribute trumpets and candies “to raise awareness [of] the… city ordinance and encourage everyone to use alternative ways to celebrate the holidays.”

Based on the ordinance, those caught with pyrotechnic devices, firecrackers and similar explosives face fines ranging from P1,000 up to P5,000, or imprisonment of one month up to six months.

Muntinlupa is one of the few areas along with Davao City which enforce a ban on firecrackers.