MANILA, Philippines – In his New Year message, President Benigno Aquino III made a request to his “bosses.” Avoid using fireworks to celebrate New Year’s Eve.

“Sana naman iwasan na natin ang pagpapaputok ngayong Bagong Taon. Isipin natin ang naidudulot nito sa ating kapwa at kapaligiran (I hope we can avoid using fireworks this New Year. Let’s think of its effect on our fellow countrymen and the environment),” Aquino appealed at the end of his speech released to the media on Tuesday, December 30.

He cited the thick smoke from fireworks as one of the causes of severe air pollution. Loud noises from the firecrackers may also damage the hearing of others, he said.

Fireworks, which leave many injured, and some even dead, every year due to improper handling, cause unnecessary harm to people, added Aquino.

The use of firecrackers in Metro Manila to welcome 2014 led to air pollution 10 times more than the safe standard for air quality, according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

In January 2014, the level of particulate matter 10 microns and below (PM10) reached 1,437 micrograms per Normal cubic meter (ug/Ncm) – almost 10 times above the World Health Organization’s standard for safe air (150 ug/Ncm).

PM10 are particles small enough to penetrate the lungs, making it an important standard for healthy air.

That year’s post-New Year air pollution was also triple the air pollution detected right after the 2013 New Year’s Eve revelry.

More LGUs must ban fireworks

Environment Secretary Ramon Paje echoed Aquino’s sentiments when he lauded local governments who have banned the use of fireworks.

The cities of Muntinlupa, Baguio, Olongapo, Davao, Kidapawan, and Zamboanga and the town of Pateros are worth emulating for their eco-conscious New Year policies.

“We hope other LGUs, especially those in urban areas like Metro Manila, would come up with similar ordinances, so that their constituents can wake up to a new year that is filled with hope, not smog from exploding firecrackers that are dangerous to our health,” said Paje.

Paje previously said that bringing the country’s air quality to internationally-recognized safe levels was one of Aquino’s major directives to his department before he steps down in 2016.

Smoke from firecrackers contain toxic chemicals including sulphur compounds and heavy metals, according to the DENR. 

These may cause serious respiratory ailments such as bronchial asthma, allergic or chronic bronchitis, laryngitis, pneumonia, rhinitis and sinusitis, according to green group EcoWaste Coalition in a December 30 statement. 

“We urge the public to shun away from this toxic tradition and instead
use alternative noisemakers such as torotot, pot and pan covers, empty
cans, maracas and other musical instruments,” said EcoWaste Coalition national coordinator Aileen Lucero. – Rappler.com