The Davao City Security and Safety Cluster shall fully implement the City Ordinance 060-02 also known as the Firecracker Ban which prohibits the possession, use, sale, manufacture and distribution of pyrotechnic devices within the city.
This is to ensure the people’s safety as they celebrate the Holiday Season.
Public Safety and Security Office (PSSO) Head Angel Sumagaysay, in an interview during the Madayaw Davao program aired over the Davao City Disaster Radio on Tuesday, said the city’s security units have already been briefed as to the full implementation of the ban.
Under the ordinance, first-time violators will be fined P1,000 or 20 to 30 days imprisonment or both; second-time offenders will be fined P3,000 or one to three months imprisonment or both; and third-time violators will be fined P5,000 or three to six months imprisonment or both.
These penalties also apply to improvised pyrotechnic devices, said Sumagaysay, and will not be limited to firecrackers that use gunpowder. He said improvised pyrotechnics that use lighter fluid or any materials that are combustible and can potentially start fire are also prohibited.
“Nagpadala ko og memo sa atong security forces na i-implement gyud na siya na ordinansa … Naay mga bata karon nga naga-improvise na og lantaka, i-implement gyud na bawal gyud na siya (I have already sent a memo to our security forces to really implement the ordinance … There are now children improvising bamboo cannons, the implemented ordinance really prohibits this),” Sumagaysay said.
The security cluster is aiming to keep the city’s record of zero-incidence of injuries and property damages relating to firecrackers, Sumagaysay added.
Security personnel will be monitoring city hospitals to record any firecracker-related injuries and gunshot wounds caused by stray-bullets. Surveillance in all hospitals will be heightened on December 24, 25, 31 and January 1.
Sumagaysay, however, said pyrotechnic devices travelling through the city will be allowed passage as long as the parties involved can provide the necessary permits.
“They should follow the instructions or guidelines from the higher headquarters kung paano nila i-transport ang kanilang products didto sa pikas probinsya. Ang importante dili gyud nila mabagsak sa Davao City (They should follow the instructions or guidelines from the higher headquarters how they can transport their products to the other provinces. What is important is that they do not unload their products in Davao City),” he said.
Davao City Police Office Director PCol Alberto Lupaz, in a press conference on November 30, said that since other provinces in the Davao Region do not prohibit firecrackers, transport through the city will be allowed as long as the proper permits are provided. CIO
