LEGAZPI CITY, Dec. 19 – Environment and Natural Resources Bicol Regional Executive Director Joselin Marcus Fragada reiterates DENR Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje’s appeal for all LGUs to designate their respective common fireworks area (CFA) to keep air pollution at bay this Christmas season.
“The amount of dust in the air expressed as Total Suspended Particulates that is detrimental to health is expected to increase this month and early January owed to widespread use of firecrackers”, Director Fragada said.
The appeal was made despite the Environmental Management Bureau Region V’s report that the Legazpi, Naga and Iriga Cities were within the fair to good in terms of air quality index. The level of air pollution in these cities registered in 2010 an average of 102, 48 and 52 microgram per Normal cubic meter (ug/Ncm) in Naga, Legazpi and Iriga, respectively. It is a level way below the observed level in Metro Manila at 166 ug/Ncm considering that threshold level is at 230 ug/Ncm to be considered “unhealthy for sensitive groups”. However, firecrackers contain sulfur, charcoal and other materials that form greenhouse gases when these react with oxidants in the air. Dust from fireworks and firecrackers can affect the lungs and pose a real danger to people who suffer from illnesses of the respiratory system such as asthma, bronchitis, laryngitis, pneumonia, rhinitis, and sinusitis.
In a related development, DENR Sec. Paje wrote the Department of Interior and Local Government seeking assistance from Secretary Jesse Robredo for LGUs to designate CFAs that will allow Filipinos to celebrate without the pollution that usually comes with it. Sec. Paje believes “momentum will be lost” so the public must cooperate in the government’s effort to minimize air pollution level by minimizing, if not totally avoiding, the use of firecrackers this holiday season.
He further states designated common fireworks areas (CFAs), whether within a municipality or even among a cluster of barangays would drastically reduce the amount of air pollution from pyrotechnics such as dust, sulfur and charcoal which can complicate respiratory problems. He, however, expressed optimism over the DILG’s resolve to show political will to designate CFAs in light of snowballing support for the scheme as all of the 17 city and town mayors in Metro Manila signed last October 18, 2011 Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Resolution No. 11-31. The Resolution urges Metro Manila’s local executives to set up in every barangay common fireworks zones in line with the call for the strict implementation of Republic Act 7183 (An act regulating the sale, manufacture, distribution and use of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices) to “provide safer environment” to celebrate the holidays.
“The advantages of having CFAs far outweigh the potential risks to our people and clean air should never be compromised at all season and in all occasion,” Director Fragada concludes. (DENR/PIA Sorsogon)
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