Buy firecrackers and pyrotechnics only at malls, SRP

Cebu City’s disaster risk reduction office warned against the unauthorized sale of firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices in the city.

Sales of firecrackers and pyrotechnics are only allowed at the South Road Properties (SRP) and in accredited malls, said Councilor Dave Tumulak.

The Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CCDRMC) issued a memorandum to its members and partners asking their help to enforce City Ordinance No. 2290 which regulates the sale, distribution, and use of firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices.

“As an organic part of the CCDRRMC, we are once again called to fulfill our duties of preventing, if not, mitigating the untoward effects or incidents arising from the sale, possession, distribution and use of firecrackers and pyrotechnics during the Yuletide season up to the New Year celebration,” said Tumulak who chairs the CCDRRMC.

The city ordinance, prohibits ambulant vendors from selling firecrackers or pyrotechnics.

According to Section 3 of the ordinance, firecrackers that can be sold inside domestic buildings are: cap, smoke device, party popper, table bomb, throwdown (bawang or triangulo), novelty match (watusi), non-hand-held sparkler, hand-held sparkler, cracker snap and serpent.

Those for outdoor use include banger (el Diablo or labintador or Judas’ belt), fountain, Roman candle, mine, wheel (trompillo), rocket, non-hand-held sparkler, hand-held sparkler, combination, shell and shell-in-mortar.

Those not included in this list are considered prohibited and must be confiscated. Confiscated items should be turned over to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) for proper disposal to prevent recycling, redistribution, reselling and reuse.

“With your cooperation, we hope to enhance cultural traditions but consistent with public safety, order and security,” the memorandum read.

It was issued to the Cebu City Police Office, BFP, Cebu City Traffic Operations Management (Citom), City Health Office, Emergency Medical Services, barangay chairpersons and tanod, Probe team, and the business permit section of the city treasurer’s office.

Violating City Ordinance 2290 would mean confiscation and a penalty of P5,000 or an imprisonment of three to six months or both upon the court’s discretion.