’Cracker ban still stays in 3 Makati barangays

Makati  Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay Jr. on Tuesday reminded residents of Barangay Bangkal, Barangay Pio del Pilar and Barangay Magallanes to continue observing a ban on firecrackers and pyrotechnic materials in their area passed by the city in 2010.

The ban has not been lifted in the three areas  which had been affected by an oil leak two years ago at the basement of  West Tower condominium along Osmeña Highway, Barangay Bangkal.

The oil was traced to a nearby leaking pipeline owned by  First Philippine Industrial Corp.

Though the FPIC undertook a remediation program, tests have indicated the presence of oil in the soil.

The cleanup is expected to take years.

“Since the problem of the oil leak has not been resolved with finality, the ban on firecrackers, pyrotechnics and similar explosive materials will continue to be strictly implemented in the three affected barangay,” Binay said, in a press statement.

He warned that firecrackers may still trigger fires in the barangays traversed by the pipeline.

The mayor added that violators  face a fine of P5,000 or a jail term of six months.

A 1994 citywide ban prohibiting the sale of firecrackers to minors aged 15 and below is still in effect.

Violators face a P1,000  fine or 15 days in prison.