Cebu City LGU tells barangays to identify firecracker zone areas
by Amor Saludar
CEBU CITY December 17 (PIA) -- The Cebu City Government reminded the leaders of the 80 barangays here to put up a designated firecracker zone in their respective areas.
This is to ensure the safety of the barangay residents who want to celebrate the Yuletide season with fireworks which is a Filipino tradition.
City Councilor Nida Cabrera, committee chairman on the environment, urged every barangay leaders in the city to identify a designated place where people can light fireworks andfirecrackers to prevent accidents.
Cabrera also warned on the air pollution caused by the smoke of firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices.
To recall, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) passed a memorandum regulating the use of firecrackers because this will increase air pollution.
Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama on the other hand, warned the public to be careful at all times in using firecrackers in order not to harm other people.
The city has designated the South Road Properties (SRP) where people can buy firecrackers and also as a firecracker zone. Eighty stalls have been given a permit to sell firecrackers in the area.
The public can also drop by and watch some entertaining shows at the SRP, this is said.
The Bureau of Fire Prevention meanwhile, is set to conduct an inspection of the stalls selling firecrackers to determine whether they are following the requirements intended for security and safety of the public.
The requirements needed include the stock of water and sands in every stalls as well as the proper distance from stall to stall.
Testing of firecrackers and smoking and any occurrence of flames are not allowed in the vicinity of the stalls, this is also said.
For the public to be informed, every stall must place a signboard warning for bypassers that the place is a ‘firecracker zone area’ and ‘no smoking’ allowed. (FCR/AS/PIA-CEBU)
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DENR-7 confiscates forest products worth P13M
By Hazel Gloria
CEBU CITY, December 17 (PIA) --- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources-7 has confiscated and apprehended over 440.8 cubic meters of forest products from January to November 2011 estimated to cost P13.436M.
DENR-7 regional executive director Maximo Dichoso said, the apprehensions are in violation of PD-705 or the Forestry Code of the Philippines and DENR Department Administrative Order # 97-32.
“The confiscation was undertaken due to the absence of transport documents from its origin, and misdeclaration as to the type of tree species as contained in the Certificate of Timber or Lumber Origin,” Dichoso added.
Cebu has the most confiscation of forest products at 250.8171 cubic meters with an estimated value of P12.573M; Bohol with 135.299 cubic meters valued at over P379,496T; and Negros Oriental with 54.3674 cubic meters valued at over P483,129T.
“The movement of logs, lumber, plywood, veneer, non-timber forest products and wood-based or non-wood based products or commodities must be covered with appropriate original certificates of origin,” Dichoso said.
Certificate of Lumber Origin refers to the document issued by DENR to accompany the shipment (transport) of lumber, showing the number of pieces, species volume, place of loading, conveyance used, date of transport, its source and its consignee.
Dichoso indicated the importance of providing transport documents to closely monitor not only the resource drain but also in providing a control mechanism against the unauthorized movement and disposition of contraband forest products.
There is no let up in DENR's campaign against violators of environmental laws. The agency is strictly monitoring illegal transport of forest products in close coordination with the provincial task force, Dichoso said.
Most apprehensions or confiscations were made at the pier areas of Tagbilaran and Talibon, Bohol; Argao, Carmen, Toledo City and Cebu City; Ayungon and Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental; and Siquijor.
The forest products which have been seized are lumber, flitches, timber, log, squared timber, boat keel, firewood, logbolts, charcoal, tanbark and poles. (mbcn/hfg/PIA-7 & DENR)