Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Ramon Paje sees wisdom in the Department of Health (DOH) proposal to ban individual use of firecrackers.
He agrees with DOH that authorities must designate areas for public fireworks display so injury, death and destruction from using pyrotechnics can be reduced.
”We’re supporting DOH’s proposal for such designated areas,” he said Friday (Jan. 3) during an early afternoon briefing in Metro Manila on air pollution impacts of pyrotechnics use during New Year’s Eve revelries.
He acknowledged that although revelries can’t be stopped, government must designate areas where firecrackers can be lighted under supervision of authorities and professionals concerned.
”Individuals must not just light firecrackers,” he noted.
DOH reports this week said over 900 cases of firecracker-related injuries have been recorded already during the recent holidays.
Such number already exceeded last year’s count for firecracker-related injuries, the reports noted.
Paje cited need for LGUs to be active in monitoring firecracker use.
LGUs must also check quality of firecrackers to be used, he also said.
Data presented during the briefing show volume of pollutive particulate matter 10 (PM10) between 1 a.m. and 4 a.m. on Wednesday (Jan. 1), New Year’s Day, surged to an average 1,550 micrograms/normal cubic meter (ug/Ncm). [PNA]
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