In a significant move to ensure public safety, the Ilocos Norte police obliterated 331 units of ‘boga’, or homemade cannons, along with various illegal firecrackers at Camp Valentin S. Juan in Laoag City on January 3, 2025. The total value of the destroyed items was estimated at PHP31,490, a decrease from the previous year’s PHP52,690.
Police Colonel Frederick Obar, the director of the Ilocos Norte police, thanked all involved parties for their role in maintaining safety during the holiday season. He highlighted the success of their collaborative efforts, noting no major incidents were reported during the festivities. This statement was made during a press conference at Camp Valentin S. Juan, attended by officials from various government agencies including the Department of Interior and Local Government, Bureau of Fire Protection, Department of Health, and the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.
Dr. Rickson Balalio, the provincial health officer, reported 27 injuries from firecrackers by 8 a.m. on the day of the destruction, including lacerations and minor burns. He proudly stated that Ilocos Norte had the lowest number of such incidents in Region 1, with no fatalities. This is an improvement from the 33 injuries reported in 2023.
Roxanne Annie Parado, the provincial fire marshal from the Bureau of Fire Protection, announced that Ilocos Norte had no fire incidents caused by firecrackers this year, a stark contrast to the previous year when a firecracker-related blaze damaged a grocery store in Badoc town.