The Metro Manila Council (MMC) has passed Resolution No. 19 ordering the immediate ban on the sale and use of firecrackers in the National Capital Region to help deter the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid) in the metropolis.

The MMC is the policy-making body of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) composed of the 17 mayors from the localities of NCR.

“The Resolution No. 19 by all Metro Manila mayors po ay unanimously agreed na the total ban po of firecrackers sa buong Kamaynilaan, sa buong NCR po. So bawal na po, any kind of firecrackers ay bawal na pong gamitin, ibenta dito po sa loob ng Metro Manila (The Metro Manila mayors through Resolution No. 19 unanimously agree to the total ban of firecrackers in the whole of Metro Manila. So, the sale and use of any kind of firecrackers within Metro Manila is already banned),” said National Capital Region Police Office chief Brig. Gen. Vicente Danao Jr. on Monday.

However, he said that local government units (LGUs) can still hold public fireworks display, provided the LGUs should first approve any form of fireworks display in safe, designated areas in their area of responsibility.

It was President Rodrigo Duterte who floated the idea of banning firecracker sale and use nationwide, but starting next year.

Malacañang even believes that one year is enough time for firecracker manufacturers to prepare for the next year’s ban on fireworks and look for new jobs or source of livelihoods.

“Pinagbigyan naman po nga nga itong manggagawang ito ng isa pang taon. Sa loob ng isang taon na ito, inaasahan natin na hahanap na po ang mga apektadong manggagawa ng alternatibong hanapbuhay (He is giving these workers one more year. In a span of one year, we expect affected workers to have looked for alternative livelihoods),” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque. CURRENTPH