NAVOTAS Representative Toby Tiangco urged the public to follow the regulations of their local government on the use of firecrackers this New Year reverly.

This reminder follows a Department of Health report indicating that 43 individuals nationwide sustained firecracker-related injuries from December 22 to 25.

In Navotas, four sustained minor injuries, including two children aged 7 and 9.

“Nakakalungkot dahil karamihan ng mga naaaksidente sa paputok ay mga bata. Ayon sa report ng DOH, 20 sa mga naaksidente ay mga kabataang may edad na 19 pababa,” Tiangco said.

“Nanawagan po tayo sa lahat na sumunod sa pamantayan ng ating mga LGUs at maging responsable sa paggamit ng paputok,” he added.

The congressman likewise called on the Philippine National Police (PNP) to ramp up its efforts against the sale of illegal firecrackers, particularly those being sold online.

“Madiskarte na rin ang mga nagbebenta ng ilegal na paputok. Ang ilan, nagbebenta na rin online kaya dapat itong bantayan nang maigi ng ating kapulisan,” Tiangco said.

“Magtulungan po tayo. Sa pangunguna ng kapulisan at ng mga LGUs, hinihimok ko po ang lahat na sumama sa pagmonitor at pag-report ng mga gumagamit at nagbebenta ng mga iligal at ipinagbabawal na paputok,” he added.

The PNP has listed the following firecrackers as illegal: Piccolo, Super Lolo, Atomic Triangle, Large Judas Belt, Large Bawang, Pillbox, Bosa, Goodbye Philippines, Bin Laden, Mother Rocket, Lolo Thunder, Coke In Can, Atomic Bomb, Five Star, Pla-Pla, Giant Whistle Bomb, Goodbye Napoles, Hello Columbia, Goodbye De Lima, Super Yolanda, Kingkong, Goodbye Bading, Kabasi, Hamas, and Watusi.

According to the PNP, these firecrackers are illegal because they are usually overweight, containing more than 1/3 teaspoon or 0.2 grams of explosives. They also often lack proper markings, including the name and address of the manufacturer.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Jester P. Manalastas