Tragedy waiting to happen

By Ermin Garcia Jr.

 

THE latest edition of the Pogo Grande High Noon Blast last Thursday, January 1, has sent a lot of chills down the spines of many.

While no one was hurt, the explosions were simply too loud and too strong for anyone’s comfort. The simulation of the machine gun-like rattling and grenade blasts could be heard from as far as Bonuan, a good 11 kilometers away! If it were not known that a 12 noon blast was scheduled that day, one could have thought that the city hall was under siege!

It’s worrisome that the barangay officials believe that first, the tradition as it is evolving will not and should not stop; then as the tradition goes, each year should be longer and louder – and more dangerous!

It’s plain hubris, being able to break the record of the past! Looking beyond this, there’s a tragedy waiting to happen.

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BIG JOKE. The High Noon Blast is actually turning out to be a big bad joke on the community and law enforcement.

What started 10 years ago with small “triangles” strung on wicks nailed to bamboo posts to explode, today’s blast features nothing but firecrackers banned by law!

The barangay officials are either completely ignorant of the law or simply choose to ignore the law all because they believe that because it’s a tradition, no manufacturer or seller or any of barangay officials that bought the banned items one can be, or should be arrested! Duh?

The police, on the other hand, appear inclined to look the other way, never mind that they are expected to enforce the law because the barangay officials are responsible for their actions! Duh-duh??

Then the city government obviously already is also inclined to think it’s OK not to regulate the tradition because it helps promote the city’s tourism? Duh-duh-duh???

Don’t get me wrong. The city should not lose that tradition but only for as long as the law allows it. And today, the law allows it with restrictions.

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KEEPING THE TRADITION. We’d like to see today’s barangay officials and their successors ensure that the tradition will never have to end by sticking precisely to the tradition, not to use the tradition as an excuse to violate the law.

It’s really not difficult to keep the tradition in check. Here are the basics:

1. Under Republic Act (RA) 7183 or the law on pyrotechnic devices, persons caught manufacturing, selling, distributing and purchasing these items may be imprisoned from six months to a year, and may be slapped with a fine from P20,000 to P30,000 ;
2. Prohibited for sale and manufacture in the country by the Department of Health and the Department of Trade and Industry are: Watusi or the “dancing firecracker” (because it causes poisoning when ingested, especially among children), Piccolo, Super Lolo and Atomic Big Triangulo, Mother Rockets, Lolo Thunder, Pillbox, Boga, Big Judah’s belt, Big Bawang, Kwiton, Goodbye Philippines, Kabasi , Atomic Bomb, Five Star, Pla-pla, Og, Giant Whistle Bomb, and unlab. The creative and enterprising manufacturers are piling up more dangerous variations each year.

The tradition started with none of these! It should not end all because of these.

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ANTI-DRUG CAMPAIGN. Last month, the Espino administration announced its no-nonsense, all-out campaign against illegal drugs.

I do hope the political leadership in the province will do all to succeed in making Pangasinan truly drug-free, and not simply think of another PR gimmick to give the illusion that it is doing something when it is not.

The PUNCH is ready with the campaign’s scorecard.

While we will coordinate with the Governor’s information office for updates, we surmise the weekly tally will be supplied by the Pangasinan Provincial Police Office (PPPO), validated by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

Let the numbers tell the story. Let the communities affirm it.

To Guv Spines, Liga ng mga Barangay President Pogi Espino and PPPO-OIC P/Sr.Supt. Reynaldo Biay, good hunting and good luck!

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PORK BARREL OR 2015 BUDGET. On Tuesday, January 6 will be a day of reckoning for the Dagupan City’s officials holding the reins of the executive and the legislative branches of government.

Will the eight councilors (and Vice Mayor Brian Lim) continue to make good on their threat to hold the city hostage until they get their P1.8-M pork barrel each? Or will they relent and grant the city the budget it deserves in 2015?

Will Mayor Belen Fernandez close her eyes and bow to the demands of the councilors, and risk being charged before the Ombudsman? Or will she stay her course and decide to make do with the 2014 reenacted budget?

Will there be a realignment of forces and reversal of political fortunes in the city council, (a replay of the coup in 2012 then led by Councilor Brian Lim, backed by his father then Mayor Benjie Lim when Judas 9 came to the fore), this time to harness a Brutus 2 to give life to a new Judas 9?   Or will the minority decide to keep the same alignment while maintaining the loyalty of four in the majority?

Will Mayor Belen force the issue and do a loyalty check on the budget issue? Or will she simply allow the politics and agenda of the councilors to play out without demanding accountability?

Will the budget issue be resolved along patriotic lines or personal aggrandizement?

Whichever way the city’s politicians decide, one thing is certain, the Dagupeños welfare is on the line – for the better, or for worse.

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GIVING BACK. This corner is happy to learn from the reports that our balikbayans are having a great time, relishing what they have been missing in company and friendship all these years.

But I am certain that as they interacted with their old friends and associates here, they have taken note of a couple of things that did not escape their attention, principally what it is that their original communities here continue to want and lack.

Before they decide what it is they can do to give back, I’d like to suggest that they focus their efforts on the need to improve, upgrade and expand learning facilities of their alma mater in the barangay or town and city. Any contribution should impact on improving the quality of education of our young generation who can and will be the future game-changers in their communities.

HAPPY NEW YEAR PANGASINAN!!

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