QC bans selling, giving firecrackers to kids

The firecrackers specified in the ordinance include common types such as Baby Rocket, Bawang, Small Triangulo, Pulling of Strings, Paper Cups, El Diablo, Watusi, Judas’ Belt, Sky Rocket (kwitis), and Piccolo. (shutterstock)

MANILA— Selling or giving any kind of firecracker to children is now punishable in Quezon City.

Under City Ordinance No. 2587, which was sponsored by 3rd District Councilor Allan Benedict Reyes and passed last Aug. 9, any person found selling, giving or sharing of any type of firecracker to children in Quezon City could face a one-year jail term or a fine of PHP5,000 or both.

In an interview, Reyes said the ordinance aims to make Quezon City child -friendly as it also supports the national law on firecrackers.

“Here in Quezon City, we are really trying to be a child-friendly city. Isa sa mga requirements sa health (It is one of the requirements for health),” he said, adding that they have also passed measures on breastfeeding and education so the city would be recognized as among the child-friendly localities in the country.

The firecrackers specified in the ordinance include common types such as Baby Rocket, Bawang, Small Triangulo, Pulling of Strings, Paper Cups, El Diablo, Watusi, Judas’ Belt, Sky Rocket (kwitis), and Piccolo.

Reyes said the ordinance shall take effect after its publication in newspapers.