Davao City has registered zero firecracker injuries or deaths during the New Year’s celebration.
Mayor Inday Sara Duterte credited this to the strict implementation of the ban against firecrackers and pyrotechnic materials in Davao by the Davao City Police Office and Task Force Davao.
She also thanked the Dabawenyos for cooperating with the authorities by following the law and celebrating New Year in ways that are safe — even without firecrackers and pyrotechnic materials.
“Davao is a proof that celebrations are possible even without firecrackers and pyrotechnic materials that could cause harm to us and to our children,” she said.
Since 2013, Davao City has been holding the Torotot Festival, a countdown that draws thousands of Dabawenyos on New Year’s eve.
The festival, which is in partnership with Smart, is in support for Davao’s tradition of welcoming the new year minus firecrackers and pyrotechnic materials.
The countdown for 2017, attended by around 5,000 Dabawenyos at the Rizal Park, was highlighted by competitions: Most Creative Torotot, Best Torotot-inspired Costume, Best Torotot-inspired Cosplay, Best Torotot-Hip Hop Dance Group, and Best Torotot-inspired Zumba Dancer.
Except for the winner of the zumba competition who received P15,000, winners of the other contests each received P50,000.
When he was still mayor of Davao in 2001, President Rodrigo Duterte banned the sale of firecrackers and pyrotechnics.
An ordinance that prohibited the manufacture, sale, distribution, possession, or use of firecrackers and pyrotechnic materials was approved by the City Council in 2002. CIO
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