Police designate firecracker zones in Metro Manila

At least 139 areas in Quezon City have been designated as firecracker zones to regulate firecracker use as the country welcomes the new year.

Most designated areas are public parks and basketball courts, such as the Adelfa, Casanova Drive and Palayan courts in Barangay Culiat.

The firecracker zones are in line with President Duterte’s Executive Order No. 28, which regulates the use of firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices.

City Mayor Herbert Bautista also recently signed an executive order  regulating the sale of  firecrackers.

In Manila, police stations under Manila Police District (MPD) have designated 36 firecracker zones.

Violators would be fined not less than P20,000 nor more than P30,000 or imprisoned for not less than 6 months nor more than 1 year  under Republic Act 7183, the law that regulates  the manufacture, sale, distribution and use of firecrackers.

Most of the firecracker zones are in plazas and basketball courts. But there were no designated areas in Baseco, Intramuros and Lawton.

In northern Manila, the Northern Police District identified 95 firecracker zones across Camanava (Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas and Valenzuela).

Caloocan City has 64 firecracker zones while Malabon City has nine zones — one for each  barangay.

Valenzuela City also has nine zones, including its People’s Park. Navotas City’s lone designated zone is at Centennial Park along C3 Road, Barangay Bagumbayan North.