The executive order EO proposing a national firecracker ban may be signed by President Rodrigo Duterte in December 5, Health Sec. Paulyn Jean Rosell-Ubial noted in a media briefing.
“I hope we can have this executive order out by then. But the President, when I presented it to the Cabinet, he said he will be supportive of the regulated use of firecrackers,” Ubial said.
Duterte signed an executive order in 2001 and an ordinance in 2002 that banned firecrackers in Davao City, where he served as a mayor for 23 years.
Ubial reiterated that the executive order was “not a total ban of firecrackers” but a regulation of firecrackers to ensure the safety of households and communities and its use by professionals who would have medical personnel on stand-by in case of emergencies.
“Hindi ko masabi kung how we will proceed from here, but ang recommendation namin is not a ban, it’s regulated use. So pwede pa ring bumili, pwede pa ring gamitin, pero 'wag dun sa bahay-bahay. Gagamitin nila in community-controlled areas,” she said.
“I don’t know how it will affect the sales or the industry, but really, we’re not stopping the production but just to have it regulated so that we would have less injuries,” Ubial added.
Pyrotechnics such as luces will be allowed for individual use but the use of pyrotechnics in private will be regulated to avoid casualties as most of the injuries reported to the Department of Health are of inebriated persons and children.
“Ang pinakamarami nating casualties are children and those under the influence of alcohol. So 'yung mga 'yun, bawal talagang gumamit ng paputok,” Ubial said.