A total of four fireworks-related injuries have been recorded in the city as of 12 midnight of Dec. 24, 2024.
Mayor Benjamin Magalong expressed hopes that no more additional incidents will happen as he requested the Baguio City Police Office, Public Order and Safety Division and the barangays to work hand in hand in the implementation of the firecracker ban in the city.
City Ordinance No. 53 series of 2009 imposes a “total ban at all times in the city of all kinds of firecrackers prohibited by the national law” and prohibits the sale and explosion of firecrackers and fireworks within the city limits.
The City Health Services Office (CHSO) said the four victims were all minors and three of them were victimized by “boga” or an improvised noisemaker made out of polyvinyl pipe, which is among the devices banned under the law.
Two were injured while actually exploding the devices while two others were passive victims or not the actual users of the devices.
The victims were as follows: 14-year-old male from Gabriela Silang who sustained an eye injury due to “boga); a nine-year-old male from Asin Road with a right thumb blast injury due to Five Star;
A 10-year-old male from Alfonso Tabora with blast injuries in the abdomen, thigh and firearm due to boga; and a seven -year old male from Bakakeng Central who sustained eye injury again due to boga.
Mayor Magalong asked parents to discourage and advise their children from using these harmful devices for their safety.
The Philipine National Police earlier issued list of prohibited firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices, pursuant to Executive Order (EO) 28 and Republic Act (RA) 7183 namely Watusi, Piccolo, Poppop, Five Star (Big), Pla-Pla Lolo Thunder, Giant Bawang, Giant Whistle Bomb, Atomic Bomb, Atomic Triangle, Large-size Judas Belt, Goodbye Delima, Hello Columbia, Goodbye Napoles, Super Yolanda, Mother Rockets, Kwiton, Super Lolo, Goodbye Bading, Goodbye Philippines,Bin Laden, Coke-in-Can, Pillbox, Kabasi, Special, Kingkong, Tuna, Goodbye Chismosa.
Also includee are all overweight and oversized firecrackers (more than 0.2 grams or more than 1/3 teaspoon in explosive content), firecrackers which fuse burns in less than 3 seconds or more than 6 seconds, firecrackers with mixture of phosphorous and/or sulfur with that of chlorates.
All imported finished products/fireworks of which the composition inside contains at least fuel and oxidizing agent. are also prohibited.
Also banned are all unlabeled locally made products like the polyvinyl pipe “boga” abd those manufactured, sold or distributed without the necessary occupancy permit, or business or permit to operate and those transported without a “Permit to Transport” to any licensed manufacturer and/or dealer.
The city’s ordinance prohibits big triangle, rebentador (5 star), watusi, pla-pla, pillbox, mother rocket, og, firecrackers without labels, and others of similar nature.
Any person, firm, entity or corporation violating the provisions of this Ordinance will be liable to a case of misdemeanor and punishments as follows: first offense — confiscation of the firecrackers and fireworks and a fine of P2,000; second offense — fine of P3,000 to P5,000 at the discretion of the court; and third offense — revocation of business permit and imprisonment for not more than 30 days at the discretion of the court.
To discourage people from using firecrackers, the city had in the past years organized a community fireworks display to prevent possible accidents aside from minimizing smoke emission caused by the firecrackers.
This year, the city prepared again a New Year’s Countdown program at the Melvin Jones which is expected to include a fireworks display. ** Aileen P. Refuerzo
