Firecrackers Should Be Banned at Every Celebration

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Philippine National Police (PNP) warns the public about Republic Act 7183: An Act Regulating the Sale, Manufacture, Distribution, and Use of Firecrackers.

The Department of Health (DOH) said this year’s “Oplan: Iwas Paputok” campaign seeks to encourage revelers to just watch fireworks displays in their communities.

We all know that there is no truth to the old superstition that those noisy and damaging firecrackers drive away evil spirits. In fact, they could even invite in nasty limb or life-threatening casualties to put bad luck on your first day of the year.

But knowing some people, there would always be some hard-heads who would still lit a firecracker and endanger not only himself or herself but also others, pets, and even properties.

We should strengthen community awareness on the "Iwas Paputok" campaign this Yuletide Season. Letvus be a role model for our community and encourage firecracker-free celebrations. Of course, this includes the banning of indiscriminate firing usually committed by irresponsible gun owners.

We deserve complete limbs, eyes and other body parts, and our precious life, for ourselves and our families. Let us help in monitoring against possible perpetrators of illegal activities. The government has not been capable of totally eradicating the bad elements of society since our President favors violent means. The undesirable and less diplomatic acts only invite more irregularities especially from China which is the number one source of questionable transactions.

We cannot deny that behind all those cheap products are possible corruption and unfavorable conditions for our Filipino businessmen. We should not let other countries manipulate us. We should lift the lives of our countrymen by advocating the purchase and patronage of Filipino products and services.

Many of the firecrackers, including the "lusis", sold in the country come from China and though it competes with locally manufactured ones, neither of the two sources should be patronized. We do not need to risk lives and property just to end, or start, the year. There are better ways to celebrate that would be more advisable towards achieving a fruitful year ahead.