Legazpi City bans sale, use of firecrackers this holiday season

LEGAZPI CITY — The city government here has prohibited the sale and use of firecrackers this holiday season amid the pandemic.

In a public advisory, Mayor Noel Rosal said the order will “prevent firecracker-related injuries that will be highly detrimental to the provision of health services” especially that the government is still preoccupied on services related to coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19).

Samuel Banico, coordinator of Violence and Injury Prevention Program of the Department of Health (DOH) Bicol, commended the local government for the said phohibition in their jurisdiction.

The DOH has encouraged the public to use alternative noisemakers to welcome the New Year.

“We already conducted series of meetings with agencies and hospitals. We will start our surveillance next week,” Banico said.

The DOH Bicol recorded 37 firecracker-related injuries from December 21, 2019 to January 6 this year.

At least 14 cases were recorded in Albay, 12 in Camarines Norte, 8 in Camarines Sur, 1 in Masbate, 2 in Sorsogon, while no cases in Catanduanes.

In the same period in 2019, 24 cases were recorded.

JE