To prevent the selling of prohibited firecrackers and to avoid untoward incidents such as fire and explosion, the city government here and several towns of La Union designated yesterday public areas as “firecracker zones.”
In this city, Mayor Pablo Ortega also ordered the confiscation of “watusi” at the plaza, where the firecracker zone was located, after the Health department issued an advisory cautioning the public of poisoning.
Ortega warned parents to prevent their children from using watusi because they are the common victims of watusi poisoning by way of ingesting it.
“We want to ensure the safety of children from using any kind of pyrotechnics. We will also regulate the selling of firecrackers because there are some that are not allowed to be sold,” Ortega said.
Ortega said the city government prompted to establish the firecracker zone because in previous years, there are several incidents of fire due to the unscrupulous selling of firecrackers and some vendors were also selling unsafe smuggled items.
“With this (firecracker zone), we will be able to monitor the proper selling of firecrackers because vendors were given with necessary permits,” Ortega added.
The establishment of the firecracker zone was based on ordinance approved by the city council.
Policemen, health workers and personnel from the Permits and Licensing Section are the ones in charge in monitoring the area.
Several towns in La Union have also designated public places as firecracker zones to scrutinize the selling and prevent the entry of banned firecrackers. |
