LIGHTING firecrackers should be done away from residential areas in order to prevent disasters, such as fires, from happening.
This is the reason why government officials from Cebu and Lapu-Lapu cities are urging their respective constituents who want to greet the New Year with firecrackers, to do so only in designated firecracker zones.
In Cebu City, Mayor Tomas Osmeña said he will tap the help of barangay tanods to ask residents not to explode firecrackers near their houses, adding that this is “a recipe for a big fire” this New Year’s Eve.
“We will ask the different sitios and barangay tanods to refrain from the use of firecrackers. It only takes one, and the whole barangay can go down in flames,” said Osmeña in a press interview after attending the ceremony commemorating the 122nd death anniversary of Dr. Jose Rizal yesterday, Sunday (December 30).
The South Road Properties (SRP) is the designated firecracker zone in Cebu City. Its designation is covered by an ordinance.
“We had the worst fire this year, in Barangay Duljo Fatima. The year is not yet over… We’re not trying to say arrest those who are playing firecrackers. Let them stop, let them play somewhere else. In SRP,” Osmeña added.
Meanwhile, the Lapu-Lapu City government has designated about 40 firecracker zones for anyone who wishes to celebrate the New Year with firecrackers.
Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza said exploding firecrackers in these areas, which are described as “open spaces,” would still be monitored.
“Gi-establish na sa barangay kon asa ang common area kon asa pwede magpabuto (The barangays have established common areas where people will be allowed to explode firecrackers),” Radaza said.
In Barangay Babag, the city’s firecracker capital, there are at least seven open spaces identified as firecracker zones by the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in Lapu-Lapu City.
“Ang purpose man gud nato ani aron ang atong fire department makahibaw sad nga mao na dihang areas (The purpose of putting up firecracker zones is to help BFP identify the areas where people are allowed to use firecrackers),” she added.
While there are barrels of water placed at the firecracker zones, Radaza also said BFP personnel will also patrol the streets to ensure that firecracker-related incidents will be prevented.
“Mo-coordinate lang sa barangay kon asa ang common areas labi na sa pabuto. Para malinawon, safe ang katawhan, just observe kon unsay sakto (Just coordinate with the barangay to identify the firecracker areas so that we can have a peaceful New Year’s celebration. We also have to observe what’s right),” Radaza said.