Releasing of flying balloons and lighted sky lanterns outdoors in Davao City at any given occasion is now punishable by the law.
This after Davao City Council, on Tuesday, April 23, passed on final reading of the ordinance prohibiting the release of flying balloons and lighted sky lanterns in Davao City.
Releasing of balloons and sky lanterns outdoors are a common practice on special occasions like weddings, birthdays, burials and anniversaries.
“Pasalamat ko sa akoang mga colleagues sa Davao City Council for supporting the ordinance and I thanked the event oragnizers for supporting committee also supporting the ordinance during the committee hearing,” Davao City councilor Mabel Sunga-Acosta, proponent of the new ordinance, said yesterday at the sidelines of the 18th Davao City Council Regular Sessions.
She added that this ordinance shall take effect 15 days upon approval, posting and publication in a newspaper of local circulation.
Acosta, however, said this new ordinance addresses both environment and public safety.
“(Flying balloons once deflated) Will go anywhere, pwede sa canal, pwede sa bodies of water then makaon sa isda, pwede muadto sa high power lines. So meron din syang concern sa public safety aside sa environment,” she explained.
Any violation of the provisions of this ordinance shall be punished as follows, without prejudice to the prosecution of other criminal actions.
There will be fines corresponding every offense pegged at P3,000 for the first offense, P3,500 for the second offense and P5,000 for the third offense.
Acosta said those who allow and those who execute any releasing of flying balloons or lighted sky lanterns will be apprehended.
“As long as intentional ang pag release, lahat ng nag initiate dapat masilutan,” she said.
She, however, said it will be on the executive side pointing the police and the City Hall of Davao to apprehend violators.
