MANILA – Citing health and safety concerns, President Rodrigo Duterte is planning to impose a nationwide ban on the use of firecrackers by mid-2021, according to Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque.
During his virtual presser on Tuesday, Roque said the country’s chief executive is planning to impose the firecracker ban on the final year of his term to give firecracker manufacturers a year to find a new source of income.
“Sinabi po niya na sa huling taon na Pasko na habang siya ang nanunungkulan iba-ban po niya ang firecrackers,” Roque said. “The target is a blanket ban like in Davao. Dapat ang centralized na paputok o may designated area lamang.”
“Dahil marami ang naghahanapbuhay at nakasalalay ang hanapbuhay sa industriyang ito, binigyan niya ng one final year para po sila ay magbenta ng firecrackers,” the spokesperson added.
During Monday’s public address, Duterte reiterated his stand against firecrackers as he scolded firecracker manufacturers for not properly putting labels and warnings in their products.
“Alam mo kung ikaw ang nag-manufacture niyan at mayroong premature ignition, walang mahabol ang mga tao if you come up with products that are really not properly done or overly beyond the normal level of safety for civilians,” Duterte said.
“You do not assume any responsibility at all. Wala akong nakita na may hinabol ang gobyerno at ikinulong dahil sa inferior or wrongly manufactured firecrackers. Unless we can come up with that, wala kaming mahabol sa inyo. Balot lang kayo nang balot. Walang warranty,” he added.
While he understood the manufacturers’ concerns, Duterte said he will not allow any product that is harmful to the public.
Last January, the Department of Health said firecracker-related injuries were down 35 percent from Dec. 21 to early morning of Jan. 1, 2020, during the same comparable period leading to New Year’s Day in 2019./PN
