Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival has mandated significantly stricter controls on the sale and use of fireworks and firecrackers for the upcoming Christmas and New Year celebrations. The new policy centralizes all authorized activities to a single, controlled location to enhance public safety and enforcement.
Centralized Sales and Strict Prohibitions
Under Executive Order No. 47, signed on December 11, 2025, the retail and display of pyrotechnics is now exclusively permitted at Pond F within the South Road Properties (SRP). This designated zone will operate from December 18, 2025, until January 1, 2026. Only vendors with a valid permit issued by the city's Business Permits and Licensing Office (BPLO) are allowed to operate within this area.
The executive order also imposes a blanket ban on igniting fireworks near sensitive locations. The prohibition covers areas within and around:
- Hospitals and clinics
- Schools and daycare centers
- Public parks and markets
- A 50-meter radius from hospitals, schools, and churches
Furthermore, the EO strictly forbids vendors from testing or lighting firecrackers within or near their sales stalls at the SRP site.
Enhanced Fire Safety Measures at SRP
To mitigate the risk of fire outbreaks at the centralized vending location, Mayor Archival's order enforces specific safety protocols for all authorized stalls. Each stall must adhere to the following requirements:
- Maintain a minimum distance of six meters from other stalls.
- Display clear "No Smoking" signage.
- Have functional fire extinguishers readily available.
- Keep supplies of water and sand on-site for emergency use.
Violators of these regulations will face serious consequences. Authorities are empowered to confiscate their merchandise and impose fines, the severity of which will depend on the nature of the offense, in accordance with local and national laws.
Balancing Tradition with Public Safety
In the preamble of the executive order, Mayor Archival acknowledged the deep cultural significance of fireworks during the Filipino Christmas and New Year tradition. However, he emphasized that the primary concern must be protecting public safety, particularly for vulnerable groups including children, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities (PWDs).
The decision to consolidate sales at the SRP was driven by the need for more effective monitoring and law enforcement. This move comes in response to numerous reports of injuries and fire incidents caused by indiscriminate firecracker use during previous year-end celebrations.
In a related development, Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Ma. Cynthia "Cindi" K. Chan issued Executive Order No. 72-A-2025. This directive establishes strict guidelines for the display and sale of fireworks and pyrotechnic products along a specified stretch of the Mactan Circumferential Road, from Barangay Canjulao to Barangay Babag. The order took effect immediately, allowing authorized vendors to sell only from December 16 until 11:59 PM on December 31, 2025. Mayor Chan stated this measure aims to balance the cherished Filipino tradition with modern safety imperatives.
