Cebu City is tightening safety measures ahead of the New Year by designating the South Road Properties (SRP) as the city’s primary firecracker zone while closely regulating pyrotechnics sales in residential areas.
City authorities are also asking barangays to submit proposals identifying common firecracker selling areas in their communities, as the local government moves to minimize risks during the holiday season.
In a press conference on Tuesday, December 16, Mayor Nestor Archival said barangays are encouraged to recommend where common firecracker zones should be located within their jurisdictions.
“Gi-request ang mga barangay nga myhatag sila ug request sa areas if asa ang common firecracker zone sa area nila. Mas maayo nga sila ang mo-request kay diri sa syudad dense na sa mga kabalayan. Sila ang mo-request aron atong mabutangan. I think I need to have that executive order aron ma-finalize,” Archival said.
The mayor said an executive order finalizing the authorized selling areas is expected to be issued immediately to allow vendors to operate legally.
While large-scale firecracker selling will be concentrated at the SRP, small-scale vendors may continue operating in their barangays, subject to consultation with disaster management officials to ensure public safety.
“Kanang mga ginagmay, wala rana, sila lisod lisora, but iconsult pa sa disaster para makahatag ug direction. Sa pagka karon, wala pa nakit-an na medyo delikado, anha pa siguro sa 23 or 24, pero by that time naa nay firm,”he said.
“Sa SRP na firecracker zone, butangan ug firetruck. Naay areas nga makabaligya gihapon sila. For the meantime, ang mga gagmay na mamaligya, okay ra na sila,” Archival added.
The Philippine National Police reminded the public that 31 types of firecrackers remain prohibited, including watusi, lolo thunder, piccolo, and atomic bomb.
Col. Rex Buyucan, chief of the Explosive Management Division, said violators may face up to one year in prison and a fine of up to P20,000 under Republic Act 7183.
Buyucan also said overweight firecrackers, oversized fireworks, and those with fuses that burn for less than three seconds are banned.
He noted that no illegal firecrackers linked to personalities involved in recent flood control controversies have entered the market so far.
Environmental group BAN Toxics also called for stricter regulation of pyrotechnics and renewed its push for a toxic-free holiday season through its annual “Iwas Paputok” campaign, which was attended by around 2,000 students, teachers, parents, and community members.
“The public, especially children, should be encouraged to avoid buying and using firecrackers,” said Thony Dizon, advocacy officer of BAN Toxics.
“We call on the public to refrain from lighting firecrackers and to choose safer, non-polluting alternatives,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Department of Health reported a 38 percent increase in firework-related injuries, rising from 610 cases in 2024 to 843 cases in 2025.
