By Sonya Delgado
The Christmas and New Year celebrations in Davao City were generally peaceful with zero casualty, according to the Davao City Police Office (DCPO).
DCPO Spokesperson PCpt. Hazel Tuazon, in an interview said there was no reported case of casualties due to firecrackers and indiscriminate firing in Davao City.
She said between December 13 and January 1, a total of 132 improvised firecrackers known as “lantaka” and “boga” were seized from violators. A total of 69 “lantaka” were also seized on New Year’s Eve.
She said most of the users of Lantaka were minors.
She said they have coordinated with the Women and Children Protection Desk (WCPD) and sent the minors to the social workers in the designated barangays to meet with their parents’ attention and offer guidance.
Tuazon added that the DCPO is currently searching for the individual or individuals in charge of the Bangkal area’s New Year’s fireworks display.
“So far they’re still conducting an investigation. Our Police Station 3 is still trying to identify the individual or individuals who set off fireworks in the Bangkal area. Although we have talked to the children who have information, we are still investigating to determine who set off the fireworks in Bangkal,” she said.
The firecracker ban in Davao City was enacted in 2002 prohibiting the manufacturing, distribution, sale, possession, and use of pyrotechnic devices in the city.
Tuazon said their office is still monitoring areas in Davao City since there are still people who will possibly use Lantaka even after the New Year’s Day celebration.
“Even though the New Year’s celebration is over, our stations are still monitoring because there are still people who might use lantakal,” she said.
Davao City also had zero fire incidents on Christmas and New Year
The Bureau of Fire Protection – Davao Office said it did not record any fire incidents on Christmas Day and New Year.
“So far sa pasko og New Year wala ta’y natala nga sunog, pero in between Christmas and New Year duna ta’y natala, kadtong December 27,” Fire Senior Inspector Richard Quiboquibo, Chief of the Fire Safety Enforcement Branch of the Bureau of Fire Protection XI, said.
Quiboquibo noted that when compared to 2023, more fire incidents took place in 2024 but the damage was less.
“When it comes to the estimated damage, it was lesser because people already know what to do when there is fire,” he said, adding that sometimes, they had to declare a fire-out upon arrival because of the efforts of the people to put out the fire.