The Police Regional Office in Western Visayas (PRO-6) will recommend to the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) the passing of a resolution for local government units to pass an ordinance banning “boga” during New Year’s Eve celebrations.
For the period December 16 to 30, PRO-6 listed 41 incidents of firework-caused injuries, 25 due to boga or improvised cannon, while the rest were caused by firecrackers.
The highest cases of boga injuries were from Iloilo with 13, followed by Negros Occidental with five, Capiz three, and Antique and Guimaras with two each.
“We are the highest nationwide, although I have yet to see the whole incident. But I received a call that we are the highest on firecracker incidents,” PRO-6 Director Brigadier General Jack Wanky said in an interview during the ceremonial destruction of confiscated and surrendered firecrackers, pyrotechnic devices and boga at Camp Martin Delgado headquarters in Iloilo City yesterday.
With the lack of ordinance, Wanky said boga will be confiscated on the basis that it is very dangerous.
As of December 29, PRO-6 had confiscated 1,700 prohibited firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices and 426 boga. Some were destroyed during the ceremonial destruction.
“We are encouraging alternative and safe ways to welcome the New Year. It is already our culture to create noise during the New Year to drive out evil spirits, and we usually use banned firecrackers. Let us resort to other safer means like torotot [trumpet] and our traditional ways like clanging cans and other aluminum products,” Wanky added.
He said they expect more confiscation in the next few days as they tapped barangay officials and “tanod” (watchmen) to ensure there is no boga in their areas of responsibility.
He also issued reminders, including refraining from the illegal discharge of firearms, being wary of criminals, avoiding fire and being ready for other emergencies.
On the other hand, the Iloilo Provincial Health Office listed 18 cases of firework-related injury from December 21 until 6:00 a.m. yesterday.
Most of the victims (12) were aged not older than 10 years; 11 to 20 years, five; and 21 to 39 years, one.
The youngest case was five years old and the oldest was 21.
Moreover, 12 of the cases suffered from eye injuries and six were blast injuries with no amputation. (PNA)