While the Department of Health is busy tallying the number of firecracker explosion victims all over the country, Davao City has recorded only one firecracker-related injury since Dec. 21. Officials and doctors credit this safety record to the city's strict implementation of its firecracker ban since 2001. Just like other hospitals in the country, the Davao Medical Center is in “code white” – the highest alert level for medical institutions – although they expect to receive no firecracker-related cases. Jean Mustafa, Davao Medical Center's nurse in charge, said they are on alert for other emergency medical cases. Bam Garcia of Davao City's public information office said that for eight consecutive years since the ban was implemented, the city registered negligible cases of firecracker-related injuries. He believed the political will of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and the local police made the firecracker ban effective. The people were initially defiant but they had no choice but to follow the law, he said. “Those who dare violate the ordinance were arrested at once and cases were filed,” Garcia said. He was referring to Ordinance 060-02, which prohibits the manufacture, sale, distribution, possession or use of firecrackers or pyrotechnic devices and such other similar explosives in Davao City. Before Christmas Day, police arrested a firecracker vendor who got his supplies from Tagum or Cotabato City. “His wares were not that many and powerful, but he was still arrested and charged,” he added. Garcia further said that the ethnic Moro called Maranaos, who used to sell firecrackers in the city, decided to vend other items because they don't want to offend Duterte.“The Muslim community here respects the mayor very much, they don't want to be tagged as firecracker vendors,” he said. Garcia said Davao City residents are now used to greeting the New Year with loud music, blowing the horns of their vehicles, and making other noise instead of lighting firecrackers.
