MAKATI CITY, Philippines – Makati City has finalized measures for the firecracker ban in 3 villages affected by an oil pipeline leak.
The city government has drawn up a contingency plan on the situation for the holiday season, Mayor Jejomar Binay said in a press statement issued on Wednesday.
He added that part of the plan includes a massive information drive in Barangays Bangkal, Magallanes and Pio del Pilar.
He warned residents that they face penalties if they violate the ban.
"We need to drive home the point that the lives of residents are at stake here, and that public safety must take precedence over any other concern, even if it means breaking traditional practices especially on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve," the mayor said.
Binay ordered police and deputized law enforcers to strictly implement the ban and arrest violators.
He added that all primary emergency response personnel will be on full alert throughout from December 24 to January 2.
This means that the ”no holiday” policy will be strictly observed by the Makati Fire, Police, Rescue, Public Safety, and Health departments, as well as the Ospital ng Makati and its Acute Care Center, he added.
A standby medical team of the Makati Health Department, backed by Red Cross personnel, will also be on-call during the said period, while doctors and nurses will be on duty in barangay health centers and ambulances stationed in strategic areas to respond to emergencies, he said.
Barangay Bangkal has complied with Binay’s order and submitted a contingency plan to the city government. The plan includes the staging of a street party and a bingo game as alternatives to traditional fireworks.
Village officials also launched an information campaign to discourage the use of firecrackers.
Makati City Ordinance 2010-A-020 has banned the sale, manufacture, storage, possession or use of all types of firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices and other explosive materials in Barangays Bangkal, Pio del Pilar, and Magallanes.
The 3 villages are traversed by a pipeline of the First Philippine Industrial Corporation (FPIC) that had leaked oil.
The ordinance imposes a P5,000 fine or 6 months imprisonment for violators.
