by Rene V. Carbayas
ISABELA CITY, Basilan, Dec 31 (PIA) – The Isabela City Police in Basilan shared the four formulas to a safe celebration of New Year in anticipation to the noisiest, joyous, and most explosive welcoming of 2012.
During an interview at DXNO Radyo Komunidad in Isabela City, Police Inspector Arnold Espares shared the four formulas which include the campaign on NO to firecrackers; instead the PNP encourages the use of practical and innovative ways to create the bright colored lighting effects and loud noise that is believed to ward off bad lucks.Espares, together with PO1 Habibun Salaam and DOH-Representative Dr. Paysal Kasim, was guest at the Philippine Information Agency’s radio program Noticias, Informaccion con Musica at DXNO-FM.
Espares added (which is the second formula) that in case a person is hurt due to firecrackers, the wounds must be washed immediately with clean water and mild soap and bring to the nearest hospital for appropriate treatment.
The third formula warns individuals, especially children, the picking up of firecrackers that have not exploded. For safety, the police suggested that it is best to pour water first at the firecracker before picking them.He said that children are most-prone to firecrackers-related injuries because of their curiosity and excitement, unaware of the risks posed by these explosive materials. He called on parents and adult members of the household or neighbors to help in preventing injuries among children.
“Sometimes adults are encouraging children to play with firecrackers,” he said.
Moreover, the PNP calls on all private individuals who own guns (fourth formula), including the police and the military not to fire their guns during the New Year’s Eve to avoid hitting innocent civilians.
But foremost he said “we definitely discourage the use of firecrackers because of safety concerns,” and called on individuals to be a responsible gun owner.
“Everything thrown up has to go down. Here lies the danger as indiscriminate firing may hit anybody. And they could be our relatives,” He stressed in Filipino.
PO1 Habibun, speaking in Yakan dialect, also reminded Isabelaños to learn from the past experience where many still fall victims to firecrackers and stray bullets.
The PNP has intensified its campaign against the use of firecrackers with APIR (Action Paputok-Injury Reduction), an inter-agency campaign in support to the directive of President Benigno S. Aquino III to prevent injuries and loss of lives during the New Year celebration.
The President likewise issued a directive to the Philippine National Police (PNP) to strictly enforce the law on firecrackers and pyrotechnics and arrest not only the sellers but also the revelers using such merchandise. (RVC-PIA9 ZBST)