The Bacolod City Police Office called on barangay captains to conduct “recorida” to announce the designated area in their respective villages where firecrackers will be allowed during the New Year’s Eve celebration.
With one day left before the New Year festivities, the BCPO said it is important that barangay folk are aware where they could mount their firecrackers and fireworks display to avoid untoward accidents.
BCPO spokesperson Police Colonel Ariel Pico noted that no major firecracker-related incident had been reported during the nine day dawn masses or “Simbang Gabi” in Bacolod City, as well as last Dec. 24 and 25.
The Bacolod PNP, he said, has focused its deployment of personnel particularly in the downtown area during the last two working days of the year.
They also deployed policemen near the firecracker zone at the back of the St. John Paul II Tower at the Bacolod Reclamation Area.
Ernie Pineda, head of the Bacolod City Markets Coordinating Task Force, said that only 44 of 61 barangays have submitted their firecracker and fireworks display areas, totaling to 66, to the BCPO and to the MCTF.
Pico said it cannot be avoided that during New Year’s Eve, police stations are flooded with complaints regarding the use of firecrackers outside of the designated area which oftentimes cause conflict and arguments among neighbors. – MML
