Sen. Gatchalian Calls on Duterte to Certify Firecracker Ban as Urgent

On Thursday, Senator Win Gatchalian made a push to promote public order and personal safety during the upcoming holiday season by calling on President Rodrigo Duterte to certify as urgent a measure prohibiting the recreational use of firecrackers and fireworks.

Gatchalian's Senate Bill No. 1140, known as the "Firecrackers Prohibition Act of 2016", prohibits the sale, distribution, and use of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices for recreational purposes.

"If President Duterte certifies this bill as urgent, Congress would be able to pass this important public safety measure in time to minimize, or even eliminate, firecracker-related injuries during the 2016 Christmas season," said Gatchalian.

Gatchalian pointed out that a nationwide ban on firecrackers, similar to the one instituted by Duterte during his tenure as Mayor of Davao City, was one of the campaign promises made by the President during his campaign.

Earlier this month, Duterte said that he was still consulting his cabinet on the matter.

Gatchalian also reiterated that his proposal would not affect authorized large-scale pyrotechnic shows, which are especially common during the holiday season, since commercial and industrial users which use fireworks for this purpose would be exempt from the general prohibition.

"Ensuring festive but safe holiday celebrations through the passage of this bill would be a good early Christmas present from the government to the People," said Gatchalian.