MANILA -- President Rodrigo R. Duterte said he will totally ban the use of firecrackers in the country to protect the lives of Filipinos, especially children.
"Bakit ako papayag na noon 700 dead, tapos may --- maski isang bata lang mawalaan ng kamay? (Why would I allow more than 700 deaths? Should we allow even a single child to lose a hand?)," Duterte said during the turnover of housing units for wounded soldiers and policemen in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan on Thursday.
The President cited his previous stint as long-term mayor of Davao City as a model of political will and instilling peace and order.
Duterte had banned firecrackers in the city during his term as mayor.
He said he decided to postpone the ban during the previous years of his presidency because manufacturers have already produced their firecracker products.
"The law itself is wide open for me to play and I will issue the executive order this early, para warning na doon sa lahat (so everyone is duly notified) that I am banning firecrackers altogether," he said.
Duterte said he will ask the Department of Justice to review the legality of issuing an executive order.
The Department of Health recorded a total of 340 firecracker-related injuries in this year's New Year revelry, which is 34 percent lower than last year's 463 firecracker-related injuries. (PNA)
