Dabawenyos again will greet their 15th Christmas without firecracker explosions and are preparing to welcome 2017 by blowing their party horns and dancing in the 4th Torotot Festival on December 31.
The first time the firecracker ban was successfully implemented here was Christmas of 2001 and New Year 2002 and that the city ordinance banning fireworks was passed only in late 2002.
But former Davao City Mayor and now President Rodrigo Duterte banned the sale of fireworks and pyrotechnics during the holiday season in 2001 by not giving business permits to vendors and malls intending to sell these items.
To recall, he explained that “the money spent on fireworks would be better dedicated to food,” and that the city government is willing to give out a P5,000 bounty for anyone who could pinpoint anyone firing a gun during the merrymaking.
It was a quiet Christmas in 2001, and so was New Year in 2002. Indeed, a “silent night, holy night” for Davao City.
“Torotot Festival”
Street vendors have been selling “torotots” (party horns or party blowers) here in Davao City since Christmas 2001 instead of selling firecrackers and pyrotechnics.
Smart Communications and the City Government of Davao have also been hosting the Torotot Festival since 2013.
The organizers have been doing their best to make it to the Guinness Book of Records for the largest gathering to beat Japan’s record at 6,900 attendees.
However, the record was not surpassed; hence the organizers this year aims to accommodate more than 10,000 participants for this year.
According to Arnold Dellosa of Smart Communications, the Torotot Festival on December 31 will start at 4 pm with a parade that will start from PLDT Ponciano and will end at Rizal Park.
Gene Rose Tecson, City Tourism Office head, urged residents to join the Festival as the organizers will give out cash prizes to some participants.
“From adhering to Davao City’s ordinance prohibiting the use of firecrackers, to making a Guinness Book of World Record attempt, and to maintaining the Davaoeños unique way of celebrating the New Year, we must continue in redefining how the new year’s day is welcomed,” Tecson said.
She added that they are aiming to promote the uniqueness and local pride of the Davaoeños.
Prizes are available for the Most Creative Torotot with P50,000 as their grand prize.
Contingents with Most Creative Torotot-Inspired Costumes will also be awarded P50,000 for the first prize.
The Hip-hop Dance Contest also has prizes worth P50,000 for the winner.
Zumba fanatics who will participate in the Zumba torotot-inspired competition will receive P15,000 for the first placer.
“The participants must register at PLDT Ponciano on December 31,” Dellosa said.
Beyond Christmas and New Year
It can be recalled that City Ordinance 060-02, enacted by the City Council on October 15, 2002, and approved by former City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte on November 6 that year that prohibits the manufacture, sale, distribution, possession, use of firecrackers or pyrotechnic devices or such other similar devices within Davao City.
First offenders, under the said ordinance, will be penalized with a fine of P1,000 and may be imprisoned for 20 to 30 days.
Second offenders will also be punished with a fine of P3,000 and may be imprisoned from one to three months.
Third offenders will be fined P5,000 and may be imprisoned of from three to six months.
Managers and owners of business establishments caught violating the ordinance will also liable and their business permits canceled on the third offense.
The ban is year-long; firecrackers and pyrotechnics are also not allowed during the celebration of the Chinese New Year and the Muslims’ Eid’l Fitr, commonly known as the end of Ramadhan.
The Department of Health (DOH), since the firecracker ban has been implemented, has recorded zero injuries and death from firecracker blasts and stray bullets in Davao City.
