Orientation on firecracker policies held at the BCGC yesterday

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) and the Bacolod City government recently ordered the city’s barangay captains to strictly adhere to Executive Order No. 28, signed earlier this year by President Rodrigo Duterte, which regulates the use of firecrackers and other pyrotechnics.

BCPO operations chief, Police Superintendent Leonardo Borromeo, said city residents are allowed to purchase firecrackers but are limited by the order.

He explained, firecrackers under class one to three, including triangulo, baby rocket, judas belt, kwitis, and bawang, are allowed near the user’s home; however, large firecrackers, those classified as class four, are only for designated fireworks displays and must be under full supervision by the police.

Borromeo said individuals found in violation of the order face fines between P20,000 and P30,000, along with one to six years in jail.

Meanwhile, an orientation for barangay officials was held at the Bacolod City Government Center yesterday on firecracker policies.

With regard to a designated fireworks display, Executive Assistant Ernie Pineda suggested barangay councils pass a resolution to designate an area as a firecracker zone.

He added, the ideal location should be away from houses, as to prevent damage to property.

Once an area has been determined, barangay captains must inform the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the City Mayor’s Office, and the Sectoral Concerns Office, who will then provide that information to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and the BCPO.

Pineda also noted, barangay captains have a responsibility to enforce the order and would be held liable if they neglect their duty.

He said areas designated as fireworks display area would be subject to inspection by both police and the BFP./DGB, WDJ