LAST week, The PUNCH reported the decision of the Bolinao local government to ban the manufacturing and trading of firecrackers of any make and size, making it the only the second local government to do so despite endless reports of residents being injured fatally.

There is no denying that communities heaved sighs of relief upon learning that no one in the neighborhood was hurt, because they realize that so-called campaign by the police and local government to maintain a zero-injury/fatality rate is hardly effective. The fact is there are injuries and no one is being held accountable when a person is injured because the police don’t bother to investigate the source of the illegal firecracker or those involved in constructing boga.

We note, too, that these injuries are usually the consequences of the negligence of parents and barangay officials, yet are not being held accountable for allowing a member of the household to secretly buy the banned firecrackers and exploded these when everyone is looking. And, the police and barangay officials merely turn a blind.

Not even ceremonial destruction of confiscated illegal firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices will ever stop a young macho resident who wants a 15-second glory for being able to defy the authorities and the law…even after hurting himself or a neighbor. He is never instigated and penalized.

The argument that banning the manufacture of firecrackers in some towns and cities impact on the livelihood of the sector can no longer hold water.  But what of the families who have to spend for the treatment of injuries?

It is in this regard, that we appeal to our local elected leaders both in the executive and legislature, to demonstrate the political will to finally ban the manufacture and sale of firecrackers to truly keep neighborhoods safe.

When Pangasinan PNP chief, P/Col. Rollyer Capoquian urged residents to use “torotots” in welcoming the New Year, he failed to earn for himself the unique honor of urging local governments to declare a ban to keep the province safe instead of merely saying that the use of torotots orts are just as fun and noisy.

It also didn’t help that Governor Ramon Guico III did not urge local governments to consider a total ban in the province. For someone who touts himself as a champion of health and safety in the province, he comes across as insincere and indifferent.

But it’s never too late to espouse what’s good for Pangasineneses.  Who among our mayors will act for the safety of their constituents?

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