BAGUIO CITY– The City Government of Baguio remains firm on its imposition of its ordinance prohibits the sale and explosion of firecrackers and fireworks within the city limits.

This is to ensure the prevention of injuries caused by legally and illegally bought pyrotechnics in the city. Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong said the city government is maintaining its long-running stance based on Ordinance No. 144, series of 1951 amended by Ordinance No. 53, series of 2009 to achieve such.

Ordinance No. 53 series of 2009 states: "There shall be a total ban at all times in the city of all kinds of firecrackers prohibited by the national law."

Any person, firm, entity, or corporation violating the provisions of the city ordinance will be punished according to the gravity of their offense.

The prohibited firecrackers include big triangle, rebentador (5 star), watusi, pla-pla, pillbox, mother rocket, og, firecrackers without labels, and others of similar nature. It will also include all firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices banned by the national government.

The ordinance will temporarily not apply to special events with special permits from the mayor's office.

To discourage people from using firecrackers, the city had in the past years organized a community fireworks display to prevent possible accidents aside from minimizing smoke emission caused by the firecrackers.

This year, the city prepared a New Year's Countdown program at the Melvin Jones which is expected to include a fireworks display.