Councilor Jesus Joseph P. Zozobrado III, committee chair on Rules, Privileges, Laws, and Ordinances, said on Tuesday that there is no need to amend the Firecracker Ban Ordinance of Davao City.
This developed following the call of some netizens that changes are needed to the said ordinance as the city continues to evolve.
The Firecracker Ban has been implemented in Davao City in accordance with Davao City Ordinance 060-02 Series of 2002 and Republic Act No. 7183, which regulates the sale, manufacture, distribution, and use of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices in the Philippines.
“I don’t see any reason nganong i-amend nato. Secondly, klaro man ang nakabutang sa ordinance nato it is really not a 100% ban but it is regulated and at some point of those stated in the ordinance. But you have to ask permission from the city government of Davao if you want to conduct fireworks and there is a specific area where it can be done. Dili na puwede sa public places nga daghan possible na maigo,” he said during Aprubado sa Konseho media forum at the Councilor’s Lounge.
Earlier this month, Talomo Police Station conducted a search and investigation for the identities of individuals responsible for lighting fireworks in Bangkal, Davao City on New Year’s Eve.
A video of the fireworks was uploaded and shared online by a netizen.
Zozobrado said Dabawenyos benefited a lot from the Firecracker Ban Ordinance of the city.
“Dako kaayo ang benepisyo na gihatag sa Dabawenyos niining ordinansa na sa pag ban sa firecfackers kay dako ang nawala na kahasul sa mga na injured or naangol, ang basura, air pollution and the noise pollution. We can celebrate Christmas and New Year without necessarily using firecrackers,” he said.
Last month, Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte reminded Dabawenyos to adhere to Davao City’s Firecracker Ban Ordinance.
Duterte emphasized that violators of the ordinance could face penalties such as fines and imprisonment.
According to the ordinance, first-time offenders will be punished with a P1,000 fine or 20 to 30 days imprisonment, or both; second-time offenders will be fined P3,000 or one to three months imprisonment or both; and third-time offenders will be fined P5,000 or imprisonment for three to six months, or both.
