Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte on Friday has ordered law enforcement agencies to strictly implement the firecracker ban in the city, as the local government gears up for the biggest countdown celebration on Sunday at Quezon Memorial Circle.

"The safety and well-being of our households and businesses is paramount. To minimize, if not eliminate, the harm and damage these firecrackers could bring to our people, we remain committed to implementing our national and local laws prohibiting the use, sale and manufacture of dangerous firecrackers. Instead, we are offering QCitizens a safer way to welcome the new year by organizing the grand concert and community fireworks display at the Quezon Memorial Circle," Belmonte said.

Bestselling act Vice Ganda is headlining the star-studded celebration at QMC.

Various bands are also set to perform including Mayonnaise, The Dawn, Cueshe, Imago, Orange and Lemons, Shamrock, Autotelic and Tropical Depression.

Drag queens Precious Paula Nicole, Captivating Katkat, Arizona Brandy and Bernie will also be joining KDolls, Buganda, DN Powerdance and Bassilyo.

The QC Countdown to 2024 will be hosted by Allan K, Tuesday Vargas, Boobay, Tekla and Uma.

Belmonte urged QCitizens to join the celebration instead of using firecrackers in welcoming the new year.

"Inaanyayahan ko ang lahat na şamahan kami sa napaka-espesyal na pagdiriwang ng bagong taon. Ito ang handog namin sa lahat ng QCitizens na kasama namin sa pagpapabuti at pagpapalago ng ating lungsod. Hangad natin na maging ligtas para sa lahat ng QCitizens ang pagsalubong sa bagong taon," she said.

A special fireworks display will light the sky at the strike of midnight.

Motorists are also advised to expect a traffic slowdown along and near Elliptical Road, where the New Year Countdown will take place.

Personnel from the Traffic and Transport Management Department, Department of Public Order and Safety, Quezon City Police District, Task Force Disiplina and QC Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office will be deployed to manage the traffic flow and assist those attending the event.

Based on Executive Order No. 54, S-2022 issued by Belmonte last year, fireworks displays are allowed only in public places as approved by the city government.

Private households in the city are prohibited from holding fireworks displays and using firecrackers.

Authorization from the Department of Public Order and Safety is needed before a particular public place may be used for a fireworks display.

Firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices permitted by national law will only be sold in shopping malls with clearance from the DPOS and a special permit from the Business Permits and Licensing Department (BPLD), in accordance with Ordinance No. SP-2618, S-2017.

These permissible firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices are the only ones allowed to be used during public fireworks displays in the city based on EO 54.

On top of penalties imposed by Republic Act 7183 and the Fire Code of the Philippines, violators will receive a fine of P5,000 or one-year imprisonment, or both at the discretion of the court, under Ordinance No. SP-2618, S-2017.

Ordinance No. SP-2587, S-2017 imposes a one-year jail term, or a fine of P5,000, or both, at the discretion of the court, on anyone caught selling, giving and sharing any type of firecracker to children.