Selling of pyrotechnics in 6 areas only from Dec. 26-31
Pyrotechnic vendors are allowed to sell their products only from December 26 to 31 in designated areas identified by the city government, said Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog said yesterday.
The firecracker zones in the city are in the vacant lot in front of Vic Imperial Appliance Center on Iznart St.; Molo plaza; Mandurriao plaza in front of police station; Jaro plaza; La Paz plaza and the Promenade; and Quezon-JV Jocson Sts. to Osmeña St. and stretch of Bonifacio and Yulo Sts. in Arevalo.
Mabilog said they have identified 20 registered pyrotechnic cooperatives with 300 members in Arevalo district, known as the fireworks capital of Iloilo City.
He said the city government has already coordinated with the vendors about safety precautions to lessen firecracker-related incidents in welcoming the New Year.
In displaying and selling of pyrotechnics, vendors are required to have with them buckets of sand and pails of water to be used in case of fire. Stalls are also
required to have firewalls and good ventilation.
As standard operating procedure, displayed pyrotechnics should be covered with plastic especially near the sidewalk.
“No Smoking and No Testing” signs are also required in every stall selling firecrackers,” Mabilog said.
Countdown
Mabilog said the city government will hold the New Year’s eve countdown midnight of December 31 along the Iloilo River in the Treñas Boulevard.
To make the countdown more exciting, Mabilog said he will ask all radio stations to air the event.
“This is still part of our ‘Iwas Paputok’ campaign this holiday season,” he said.
Mabilog said those who could not observe the fireworks display during the countdown are advised to practice alternative ways to “noisily” celebrate the New Year by using “torotot” or horns, whistles and even radio sets.*
