SunStar Pampanga, Dec. 28, 2005
THE City Government of San Fernando has banned any type of firecrackers within the premises of the City Hall as part of the city's disaster preparedness mechanism in preparation for the New Year's eve.
The ban on firecrackers was decided in Tuesday's meeting presided by City Administrator Sonia Soto.
During the meeting, heads of offices mapped out their plans to counter incidents like fire and accidents arising from use of firecrackers, that usually happen at the end of the year.
City Fire Marshal Jonas Silvano said like the old public market, the City Hall is fire hazard and must be safeguarded during this time of the year.
Silvano said fire trucks and firemen will be posted in front of the City Hall and at the Dolores and Sindalan intersections, while medical personnel will be on standby for any emergency.
Early this year, City Mayor Oscar S. Rodriguez effected the procurement of modern firefighting equipment while he assured the public that the City Government would exhaust all means to prevent another tragedy similar to the Popong's Swerte Mart conflagration. The fire killed eight women.
Firecracker vendors are also prohibited from selling their wares near or within the old public market to prevent firecracker-sparked fire.
Vendors of pyrotechnics will be situated alongside the San Fernando Elementary School fronting B. Mendoza Street.
On December 29, "Oplan Iwas Paputok" will be launched in front of the City Hall as part of the plan to rid the public of injuries caused by the New Year revelry.
The city officials agreed that General Services personnel, including garbage collectors, will undertake street cleaning from one to six on the morning of January 1.
The public is also enjoined to take measures to avoid damage to life, limbs and property during the revelry that comes with the New Year.
