In a move to safeguard its residents during the festive season, the town of Bolinao in Pangasinan has issued a comprehensive ban on the manufacture, sale, distribution, and use of firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices. The decision, encapsulated in Executive Order 70, was announced by Mayor Alfonso Celeste on December 20, 2024, and shared via the local government’s social media platforms. The order is a proactive measure to prevent the injuries and casualties that have historically marred holiday celebrations across the Philippines. Mayor Celeste has encouraged residents to opt for alternative noisemakers during Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve festivities. The ban is supported by Republic Act 7183, known as the Firecracker Law, and a Department of the Interior and Local Government memorandum that outlines the responsibilities of officials in managing firecracker use. Violators of the ban will face confiscation of their firecrackers by the Philippine National Police and the Bureau of Fire Protection. Additionally, local Barangay Councils are empowered to halt non-compliant activities and must report such incidents to the relevant authorities.
