ANGELES CITY — Pyrotechnic traders and revelers have gathered this early at a makeshift firecrackers zone situated at a vacant lot adjacent to Marquee Mall shopping complex designated by local government unit and the police as site for New Years’ eve celebration.
“People from all walks of life are free to choose and buy their favorite fireacrackers and light it there. Only legitimate firecrackers are being sold,” said Police Colonel Joyce Patrick Sangalang, director of Angeles City Police Office (ACPO).
The local government here issued an ordinance banning all types of firecrackers and only in designated area where revelers can buy their choice pyrotechnic to welcome the New Year, Sangalang added.
Sangalang and his team earlier conducted stall-to-stalls inspection at the public market where he discouraged enterprising individuals to refrain from selling firecrackers. He urged vendors to relocate their trade at the designated firecrackers zone to avoid penalties.
“We want to avoid accident and selling firecrackers in public or in a crowded place is dangerous,” Sangalang explained citing the incident in Bocaue where fire broke out caused by mishandling of firecrackers.
In previous years, fireacrackers trader mushrooms on the opposite sides of the road specifically along MacArthur Highway in Barangay Balibago and even at the boundaries of Angeles City and City of San Fernando.
“We are discouraging them and instead convinced them to apply for a business permit at the city hall and put their wares in one area only. Hindi yung pakalat kalat sila kahit saan basta meron malagyan ng mesa at paninda. Napakadelikado. This is dangerous and mind you they are selling explosives,” warned Sangalang.
He said those found selling firecrackers outside of the designated area will be dealt with accordingly.