Street party for Bangkal residents sans firecrackers

MANILA, Philippines - A street party and New Year countdown is being organized in Barangay Bangkal in Makati City to make Friday night’s celebrations more cheerful for the residents who have been banned from using firecrackers.

The ban was enforced to prevent a fire or an explosion after oil leaked from a pipeline of First Philippine Industrial Corporation.

Singing and dancing, this is what officials and residents of the village plan on for their New Year revelries.

“Para masaya kahit papaano nag-videoke na lang kami. Instead na bumili ng paputok, dinagdag na lang namin sa pagkain,” said Dodeng Gregoria, a resident of Barangay Bangkal.

Others said they would bring out their “sound system” to make noise on the streets.

Barangay officials also handed out “torotot” or horns to be used for making noise to welcome the New Year.

Barangay officials and members of the city’s Emergency Response Team also walked around the village to remind residents to follow the ordinance prohibiting selling and using firecrackers in the area.

“Paalala namin sa kanila na seryoso kami sa kampanya, bawal ang paputok,” reminded Fermin Eusebio, Barangay Chairman of Bangkal.

Meanwhile, Director Nicanor Bartolome Jr., Metro Manila police chief, personally conducted an inspection of the West Tower condominium to ensure security and to make sure there are enough policemen guarding its perimeter.

Bartolome also appealed to everyone in the area not to light firecrackers.

"We are asking for the cooperation of everyone not to light firecrackers in consideration to those living in the area," Bartolome said.

The firecracker ban also covers barangays Pio del Pilar and Magallanes.

On Thursday, officials conducted an emergency drill to ensure that contingency measures are in place in the event of a fire or explosion. From a report of Sheryll Mundo, ABS-CBN News

Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/metro-manila/12/31/10/street-party-bangkal-residents-sans-firecrackers