FIRECRACKER BAN WORKS

On New Year’s Eve Olongapeños managed to steer away from the dangerous firecracker tradition. Instead, they resorted to safer noise-making alternatives like loud music, blowing vehicle horns and especially for kids, there was the ever reliable ‘torotot’.

As of January 3, 2010, the Department of Health (DOH) has recorded at total of 920 wounded from firecracker blasts, stray bullets and watusi ingestions on 2009 New Year revelries nationwide.

But because of the joint effort of the local government headed by Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr. and city residents to implement Ordinance No. 63 or “The Total Ban of Manufacture, Sale, Distribution, Possession and Use of Firecrackers within the Jurisdiction of Olongapo City”, victims of firecracker-related incidents in Olongapo City was very minimal.

According to Olongapo City Police Office (OCPO), aired over at SBC’s dwGO AM on January 1, there were only three (3) reported cases of firecracker-related injuries in Olongapo City. One casualty was a 14 year-old male who suffered a second degree burn on the right forearm. Another one is a 7 year-old boy who suffered a second degree burn on the left hand because of luces and a 34 year-old male who suffered a first degree burn on his left arm, this time, because of kwitis. This was the result of some violations of the ban.

Different types of firecrackers were confiscated and a man was even arrested through a buy bust operation for selling firecrackers.

The Firecracker Ban is in effect in Olongapo City to prevent fires and blast accidents that maim or even kill people.

All in all, the 2009 Firecracker Ban was a success. Olongapeños proved that they can welcome the New Year with a bang without the harmful firecrackers.