The firecracker zone in Cebu City has been transferred to an accessible area at the South Road Properties in the Barangay Mambaling, Cebu City. | Gerard Francisco
CEBU CITY, Philippines — The Cebu Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO) urged the public to follow the designated firecracker zones in their respective local government units to avoid firecracker-related incidents during the Christmas celebration.
PDRRMO Chief Neil Angelo Sanchez said it would even be better to avoid using firecrackers to ensure a safe celebration.
“The LGUs (local government units) have identified open areas where you can enjoy the fireworks. Kun dili gyud kalikayan nga ganahan gyud ka og fireworks kay tradition man na nato, let’s do it in safe places,” Sanchez told CDN Digital on Monday, December 23.
Sanchez said they would be targeting zero firecracker casualty this year in line with the directive of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).
Read more: Cebu City’s firecracker zone opens in Barangay Mambaling
DILG Secretary Eduardo Año, in a statement, directed the LGUs to enforce local laws concerning firecrackers to reduce the risks of firecracker incidents.
“Ituloy-tuloy lang natin ang pagmomonitor at pagpapatupad ng mga batas tungkol sa mga paputok. Ang gusto lang naman natin ay walang mapahamak at maging ligtas at payapa ang pagdiriwang ng Pasko at Bagong Taon,” Año said.
(We should continue to monitor and enforce the laws on firecrackers. What we just want is that nobody will be hurt and that everyone will be safe in celebrating Christmas and the New Year.)
Año said it is the mandate of the LGUs “to protect their constituents and ensure that their fireworks-related local ordinances are well implemented and followed by their constituents.”
Meanwhile, Dr. Christina Gianggo said all 12 district and provincial hospitals in the province were all set for emergencies during the Christmas celebration.
“Among gi-advise man gyud ang mga hospitals to be ready for any Christmas celebration-related incidents plus tungod pod sa bagyo nga Ursula. We also advised them to prepare for supplies and other needs for these times,” Gianggo said.
(We have advised the hospitals to be ready for any Christmas celebration-related incidents and also for Typhoon Ursula. We have advised them to prepare for supplies and other needs for these times.)
Gianggo added that all province-run hospitals were already in Code White until the New Year’s Day.
This means that all medical personnel in different fields are available to respond to any emergency situation./dbs