MANDAUE CITY, Cebu, Dec. 15 (PNA) — The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in Mandaue City has declared the entire city a “no firecracker zone” ushering in a more quiet Christmas and New Year’s eve in the city.
SFO3 Roy Garcia, operations chief of the BFP Mandaue City, said the ban is meant to prevent accidents and fires.
In 2009, a pregnant woman and her two children died while six others were wounded after a stray firecracker landed in one of the stalls in a city-designated firecracker selling and testing zone in Barangay Centro.
About 50 stalls selling firecrackers were burned during the incident.
Garcia said no permits have been issued for stalls selling firecrackers.
But three malls were given permits to sell pyrotechnic products, provided they set up the stalls outside their malls.
These are JCentre Mall, Parkmall and Insular Mall.
The BFP-Mandaue City will implement a massive information campaign dubbed “Oplan Paalala” from Dec. 16 to Jan. 2.
BFP personnel will visit the communities and advice them against using firecrackers and substandard Christmas lights.
Garcia said leaflets will be distributed and fire trucks will go around fire-prone areas.
A group was also formed to inspect shops selling pyrotechnics to make sure owners comply with safety requirements.
These shops are required to put up “no smoking” and “no testing” signs.
They should also have a fire extinguisher.
Another group will go around the city to apprehend stores selling firecrackers. (PNA)