| From playing loud music to staging street parties, Malacañang has offered the public alternative noisemakers so they can celebrate the New Year safe and sound, instead of using the traditional fun yet dangerous firecrackers.
Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. issued the statement four days before the calendar changed in support of the Department of Health’s (DOH) annual campaign against pyrotechnic materials.
“Ilang araw bago natin ipagdiwang ang pagsapit ng Bagong Taon, patuloy ang panawagan ng pamahalaan sa lahat ng ating mga mamamayan na makiisa sa pag-iwas sa paggamit ng makapaminsalang paputok at salubungin ang taong 2016 nang ligtas at malayo sa ano mang kapahamakan,” Coloma said over the state-run Radyo ng Bayan on Sunday.
The DOH has released the slogan “Tetano ay Nakamamatay, Huwag Pasaway; Sa Paputok May Goodbye” to discourage the public from using firecrackers and other explosive devices as these often cause serious injuries that even lead to death.
“Muli nating pinaaalalahanan ang mga kababayan, lalo’t higit ang mga magulang na bantayan ang kanilang mga anak sa paggamit ng mga paputok, at himukin silang gumamit ng mga alternatibo at ligtas na pamamaraan ng pag-iingay tulad ng torotot, musika, kaldero at maging ang pagdaraos ng kasiyahan sa kalye o ‘street parties’ bilang pagsalubong sa bagong taon,” Coloma said.
Coloma said the DOH continues to work with the Department of Interior and Local Government, the Department of Trade and Industry, and the Philippine National Police to prevent the sale of illegal firecrackers.
Public hospitals and other facilities nationwide would also remain on ‘Code White,’ the highest alert level of DOH, which it has imposed since December 21 to attend to those people who might need immediate medical attention during the holiday period. PND (hdc) |
