BAGUIO CITY (PIA) — The Department of Health in the Cordillera Administrative Region (DOH-CAR) is calling on the public to avoid using firecrackers to prevent injuries this holiday season.
Ann Katrina P. Dela Cruz, Senior Health Program Officer of the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center, said DOH leads the Firecracker Injury Prevention Month campaign every December to reduce injuries caused by the use of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices during the holiday season.
This year’s theme is “Iwas Paputok, Ipagdiwang ang Pasko at Bagong Taon nang magkakasama, iwasan ang paputok para iwas disgrasya.”
“The campaign promotes safer alternatives like community fireworks display, and the use of noise- producing objects,” Dela Cruz said.
The sale and use of harmful firecrackers are strictly monitored with the objective of zero casualty.
The legal basis for such includes Republic Act 7183 series of 1992, An Act Regulating the Sale, Manufacture, Distribution and Use of Firecrackers and Other Pyrotechnic Devices.
It includes the types of firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices allowed and prohibited, license/permit requirements and qualifications of manufacturers and dealers, guidelines on the importation of chemicals and explosive ingredients , safety guidelines and labeling of products, recording, reporting and penalties.
Another law is the Fireworks Code of the Philippines or Executive Order No. 28 s. 2017, which is the regulation and control of the use of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices. It promotes community fireworks display, and prohibits select firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices.
Among the of illegal firecrackers include watusi, piccolo, super lolo, atomic triangle, large judas belt, large bawang, pillbox, boga, goodbye Philippines, and Bin Laden, mother rockets, lolo thunder, coke -in-can, kwitom, ayomic bomb, five star, pla-pla, giant whistle bomb, kabasi, and other unlabeled and imported firecrackers.
Baguio City Ordinance No. 53 s. 2009 also prohibits the sale or explosion of firecrackers within the city limits except on special occasions such as fiestas, celebration of important events for which a written permit is granted by the City Mayor. It aims to achieve a zero firecracker-related casualty status in the city and entice people to embrace safe Christmas merrymaking and New Year revelry.
The Philippine National Police,in coordination with other agencies and LGU, shall enforce these laws while agencies shall conduct information campaigns on the danger of using fireworks.
Everyone is encouraged to join and enjoy community fireworks for safe and merry holidays. And as a reminder, it is important to know the hotline numbers of DOH referral centers, DOH poison control centers, and DOH trauma center. (JDP/MAWC-PIA CAR)
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