BONTOC, Mountain Province – This capital town welcomed the New Year without a single record of firecracker related injuries.
This was announced by Dr. Diga Kay Gomez, the Municipal Health Officer during the regular Monday Flag Raising Ceremony on January 7, 2019 at the Bontoc Municipal Capitol grounds.
According to Dr. Gomez, this is the fourth year in a row that Bontoc attained zero fire cracker related injuries. She attributed this to the collaborative efforts of concerned offices and agencies in untiringly reminding the public to observe the firecracker law.
Executive order number 28, Series of 2017 regulates and controls the use of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices in the country.
It also bans the use of strong and harmful firecrackers such as watusi, piccolo, super lolo, atomic triangle, Judas belt, large bawang, pillbox, goodbye Philippines, mother rocket, lolo thunder, bin laden, pla-pla, giant whistle bomb, and other giant unlabeled firecrackers.
Also, prior to the celebration of the Yuletide season, the public, especially the parents, were reminded to tell their children not to pick up failed or unexploded fireworks to prevent them from being exposed to hazards that could lead to the loss of parts of their bodies or even their sense of sight in extreme cases.
In Bontoc, the municipal government through its Municipal Health Office (MHO), Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Office (MDRRMO) and its partner agencies to include the Bontoc Municipal Police Station (MPS), Bontoc Municipal Fire Station, Provincial Health Office (PHO) and Department of Health (DOH) – Provincial Office has spearheaded the intense campaign against the use of firecrackers.
Related to this, Bontoc Mayor Franklin Odsey lauded the above mentioned offices and agencies for their commitment in ensuring there will be no cases of fire cracker related injuries in the municipality. He likewise thanked the public for their cooperation adding that this is a manifestation of how the government and the public work harmoniously.
In welcoming the year 2019, Odsey urged everyone to move forward from the struggles and learning in the past year and use these to improve one’s self. The mayor also further solicited the usual cooperation and support of everyone as the Bontoc continues to strive for progress for the good of the municipality and its people.
By Alpine L. Killa
Photo by: JOSEPH B MANZANO
