Cebu City gov’t looking for new firecracker zone

The Cebu City government is looking into a new firecracker zone in the South Road Properties (SRP).

Councilor Dave Tumulak, deputy mayor on Police Matters, said they were planning to put the firecracker zone in a city-owned property near the boundary of Cebu City and Talisay City in SRP.

“There’s a space near the U-turn slot and the bridge that connects Talisay City and Cebu City’s SRP. It’s owned by the city and we’re going to utilize it,” Tumulak said.

In previous years, the city government designated portions of Kawit Island, also in SRP, as the firecracker zone where vendors selling firecrackers and fireworks would be allowed to put up their stalls.

But Tumulak said that since Kawit Island is now owned by the Gokongwei-led Universal Hotels and Resorts Inc. (UHRI), who would be developing it into an integrated resort called Isla de la Victoria, the city government would be compelled to look for other areas.

“The firecracker zone should only be in SRP because we have to comply with the city ordinance that states that the SRP is the only firecracker zone in Cebu City,” he added.

Tumulak also said vendors could start selling firecrackers as early as December 1.

He added that those interested to sell firecrackers this year should start processing and acquiring the necessary permits, such as clearance from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), which are needed before they put up their stalls.

In 2011, the city amended City Ordinance No. 2290, which regulates the distribution, production, and selling of pyrotechnics, designating the SRP as a firecracker zone, and banning firecrackers from residential areas, power lines and substations.