Donate to typhoon victims instead of buying firecrackers: Palace

MANILA – Donate to victims of Typhoon Odette instead of buying firecrackers, a Palace official said on Wednesday.

Acting Presidential Spokesperson, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, made this call after the Department of Health (DOH) reported 25 firecracker-related injuries ahead of the New Year.

“Tama po iyon, imbes na igastos natin sa paputok, sa firecrackers na bawal po, ibigay na lang po natin sa mga kababayan natin na nangangailangan. Those na tinamaan, lubos na naapektuhan ng Typhoon Odette, doon na lang po natin ibigay ang tulong natin (That’s right, instead of spending it on firecrackers that are illegal, let’s just help our fellowmen in need. Let’s help those severely affected by Typhoon Odette),” he said in a Palace press briefing.

Citing an executive order signed by President Rodrigo Duterte in 2017, Nograles said fireworks should only be confined to community fireworks displays to minimize the risk of injuries and casualties.

He also noted that community fireworks should only be conducted under the supervision of a trained person duly licensed by the Philippine National Police (PNP).

“Dapat wala nga po tayong fireworks-related injuries na makikita dahil nga po community fireworks lang po ang puwede (In the first place, there shouldn’t be fireworks-related injuries because only community fireworks are allowed),” he added.

Nograles also reiterated the DOH guideline discouraging the use of torotot (horns) and items “that we use with our mouths” to avoid Covid-19 infection.

“Hindi pupuwede iyong torotot, hindi pupuwede iyong anything na wind instruments na lumalabas sa ating bibig iwasan din po natin iyan (Horns are prohibited, any wind instrument we use with our mouths are not allowed), so let’s just use percussion. You know, pans, tambourines, bells or iyong (those) light emitting devices. Ito po ay nasa DOH reminders sa public (These are the reminders of the DOH),” he said.

He emphasized that these guidelines were released for the public’s own good.

“Iyong mga guidelines na ito mga kababayan, hindi naman natin ginagawa ito dahil wala lang. Hindi po ganoon (These guidelines were not made for the sake of it. It’s not like that), they all serve a purpose, and we cannot serve its purpose if the people do not comply. So, let’s just all comply with the guidelines,” he added.

Interior Secretary Jonathan Malaya, for his part, said the DILG, PNP, and Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) are currently conducting efforts to crack down on the manufacture, sale, and use of illegal firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices.

“Ang PNP po at LGU mayroon po silang katungkulan (The PNP and LGUs have a duty) to enforce national and local policies regarding the use of firecrackers at puwede po silang magsagawa ng mga inspeksyon (and they can conduct inspections) and they can also confiscate and sirain itong mga (destroy) prohibited firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices,” he said.

According to the DOH, fireworks-related injuries increased by 108 percent with 25 reported cases from Dec. 21 to 29. Only 12 cases were recorded in the same period last year.

Most of the injuries are among minors aged nine to 16 while the leading causes of injuries were prohibited fireworks such as boga, 5-star, and piccolo.