By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Only 44 out of 61 barangays in Bacolod City have submitted their designated firecrackers zone to the city’s Task Force Paputok 2019.

Task Force headExecutive Assistant Ernesto Pineda,said the barangays that have submitted will be referred to the Bacolod City Police Office and the Bureau of Fire and Protection-Bacolod for inspection if the areas that were chosen are fit for the national standard rules and regulations.

“The remaining 17 barangays that have not yet complied can still submit before December 15,” Pineda said.

In a meeting conducted by the Task Force last week some of the barangay officials have reportedly stated they will not submit because they do not want to have a firecrackers designated area in their respective barangay.

Pineda appeals to all the barangay captains to help implement the proper use of firecrackers.

Meanwhile, 72 vendors had applied for a special permit in the city for the sale of firecrackers and pyrotechnics.

Pineda said that one of the problems of the vendors is a certification from the Bureau of Fire and Protection that they can not easily get unless they have structures, fire extinguisher and a”no testing, no smoking” notice posted.

According to the City Treasurer’s Office issuance of special permit will come after compliance of all proper requirements for their business with a P1,500 fee./DGB, WDJ