NCRPO to impose strict ban on firecracker use

MANILA, Philippines — The National Capital Regional Police Office (NCRPO) will be implementing a strict ban on firecrackers in preparation for celebrations marking the coming of the new year.

The NCRPO chief, Brig. Gen. Debold Sinas, told reporters that the police would be implementing the same guidelines for “Oplan: Iwas Paputok,” set to start this week, which was aimed at minimizing firecracker-related injuries during the holiday season.

According to Sinas, he would be deploying his men to known areas where firecrackers and other pyrotechnic materials were being sold and apprehend both vendors and buyers.

While the Department of Health earlier called for a total ban on firecrackers, Sinas said they had yet to know whether that would be the official directive of the Philippine National Police and the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

The plan stemmed from an earlier PNP directive to conduct early monitoring and law enforcement operations in relation to Executive Order No. 28, which covered the regulation and control of firecracker use. —Krixia Subingsubing