Duque: No total firecrackers ban without alternative livelihood

MANILA, Philippines — A total ban of firecrackers will not be possible unless government finds alternative livelihood programs for those in the fireworks-manufacturing business, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said Tuesday.

“The total ban [of firecrackers) cannot be executed without the benefit of really identifying alternative livelihood activities or programs,” Duque said in a press conference at the East Avenue Medical Center.

Duque said that the government “cannot be reckless” and should be clear on what alternative livelihood programs would be provided for people who would be affected of the ban.

“We cannot be reckless, we have to be very clear about what will be the alternative livelihood programs for people who will be displaced because of the ban,” he said.

“I think that is the more compelling reason we ought to look into,” Duque added.

The health chief said that the discussion of a total ban would have to include other agencies such as the Department of Trade and Industry, the Department of Labor and Employment and the Department of Finance as the ban has “a lot of implications.”

Duque made the remarks in light of the 139 firecracker-related injuries that the Department of Health (DOH) recorded during the New Year revelries.

Even though this is a steep 68-percent drop on the number of firecracker-related injuries, the DOH still aims for a zero-casualty New Year’s Eve celebration.

“We are gratified, on the one hand, with the reduction but, on the other hand, we are saddened because there are still cases related to fireworks. Still many injuries. One injury is too much to bear. /muf