By Mariela Angella Oladive
Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas is pushing for a review or creation of an ordinance to regulate the sale and use of “boga,” improvised PVC cannons, following reports that the device caused most firecracker-related injuries during the holiday season.
Data from the Iloilo City Epidemiological and Surveillance Unit (ICESU) recorded seven firecracker-related injuries from December 21, 2024, to January 1, 2025.
Of these incidents, four were linked to boga, with the remaining cases involving homemade firecrackers, triangle firecrackers, and camara.
Although the total number of incidents remained low, the mayor stressed the importance of maintaining safety through the Feast of the Three Kings.
“While any injury is unfortunate, I am grateful that the numbers remained manageable. This achievement reflects a whole-community approach, where each of us plays a vital role in ensuring the safety and well-being of our city,” Treñas said in a statement.
He directed the Iloilo City Council to review existing ordinances or create new ones to ban the use, sale, and production of boga.
Treñas had earlier warned stores against selling the devices, emphasizing that establishments caught selling boga would face immediate closure.
The Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO), led by Police Colonel Kim P. Legada, confiscated 34 boga devices in recent operations across the city.
Treñas commended the ICPO’s efforts and urged parents, guardians, and barangay officials to remain vigilant against such hazards.
Boga, commonly used during Christmas and New Year celebrations, produces loud explosions when ignited.
The device poses significant risks to users and bystanders and is considered a violation of Republic Act No. 7183, which regulates the sale, manufacture, and distribution of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices.
