Ban on firecrackers ordinance for city Mayor’s OK, silent on bamboo cannons

ZAMBOANGA CITY (ZNS) - The city council will forward to the city’s mayor’s office this week its approved Ordinance numbered  2014-035 that bans   the use , sale ,possession , distribution , storage and manufacture of firecrackers and pyrotechnics devices.

After the approval by the city mayor, the ordinance will take affect 15 days after its publication in local newspapers in this city.

This ordinance bans the use of firecrackers and pyrotechnics because its explosions will reawaken in the minds of local residents the explosion of guns and bombs and other explosive devices during last years rebel attack in this city.

There are also fears that the use of firecrackers could also cover up  explosion of guns as when rebels will take advantage of the situation to attack the city again.

While the ordinance provides for penalties for local use of firecrackers to create explosive sounds, there are no provisions there that will immediately penalize rebels who will fire their guns should they decide to attack the city anew anytime of the day or the year.

Notwithstanding this total ban of firecrackers, the city ordinance is silent on the use use of “bamboo cannons”  to create noise during the Christmas season or New years year.

(That may not be the case, if some Kill-Joy officials will also enforce a ban against bamboo cannons.-Ed)

Councilor Benjamin  “BG” Guingona III  explains that with this ordinace, firecrackers traders can only transship the explosive items from their places of origin to their customers outside the city.

Storage of firecrackers and pyrotechnics in the city will be good for only three days or at the most six days for shipments intended for out-of-town traders.

Guningona said that in as far as the so-called  “canion de cania” – is concerned it is not provided under said ordinance .

However, he said  the use of bamboo cannons will be discouraged come Christmas and new year’s eve.   (Letty M. Militante ) 100714)