Cotabato City bans powerful firecrackers

COTABATO
CITY – Setting off powerful firecrackers during the Holiday
season is now strictly prohibited in the city, Mayor Japal Guiani Jr today
said.

The
selective ban came amid a series of bombings that rocked North Cotabato
province and this city in the past week, leaving four persons dead and about 40
others wounded.

Speaking
to reporters, Guiani said banned are selling and exploding of powerful firecrackers like
pla-pla,” kwitis,” rocket bomb,” among others that produce grenade-like explosion while colorful pyrotechnics are
allowed. Guiani
explained that a firecracker explodes while pyrotechnic only produces color
lights and produces no explosion. Guiani
appealed to businessmen to avoid selling firecrackers to avoid fire, panic and
injuries, or even death. I
have directed all local officials and barangay officials to help implement the
directive,” Guiani said. The
chief executive is set to issue an executive order banning the sale, transport,
possession, distribution and explosion of firecrackers. He
explained that the ban was part of the security plan the city have implemented following
bombing incidents in Cotabato City, Kabacan and Mlang in North Cotabato last
week. I
know our important tradition of making noise during the Christmas and New Year’s revelry
but please cooperate because this is for the safety of everyone,” Guiani said.