POLICE at the Hoops Dome area in Barangay Babag, Lapu-Lapu City were assigned to monitor the firecracker vendors who already started selling their wares along the road since last Friday.
“Kung duna’y makit-an nga illegal firecrackers or makers, ato ni silang arestohon ug kasohan (If we find illegal firecrackers or makers, we will arrest them and file a case against them),” said Supt. Elmer Lim, deputy city director for operations at the Hoops Dome police precinct.
Police, tanods and other force multipliers also help in patrolling the road to ensure that no one smokes there and no eatery or barbecue stands are set up.
Lim said each stall must have warning signs such as No Smoking, No Testing written in bold letters set up.
Those buying in bulk must have containers where the items can be safely stored.
A firecracker vendor named Irene Berdon said she wasn’t sure that she and other vendors can earn a profit due to the many restrictions imposed on them by the government.
“Maayo unta og makaginansya pa mi ani kay morag wala na kaayo’y mamalit karong panahona (Hopefully we can make profit as it seems like there are less buyers now),” Berdon said.
Lim said those buying and using firecrackers must set them off in firecracker zones identified by their barangays lest they are arrested and charged.
“No one is allowed to sell firecrackers or pyrotechnics at the market or any other place except barangays Babag or Kalawisan area,” Lim said.
Lapu-Lapu City’s barangays submitted their lists of firecracker zones and gave copies to police.
The Lapu-Lapu City Fire Central District had been placed on alert since Dec. 15 and will remain on alert until after the New Year.