Mayor John Dalipe has ordered the suspension of the business permit issued to the operator of Next Step Fireworks Shoppe, whose stockpile of fireworks exploded Saturday afternoon in a warehouse at Marquez Drive in barangay Tetuan, pending the results of the ongoing investigation into the explosion.
Dalipe issued the suspension order on the business permit of Jonathan “Jojie” Chua, operator of Next Step Pyrotechnics, who owned the fireworks [not the warehouse] that exploded.
This, as the local chief executive convened Monday, July 1, in City Hall a meeting with representatives of the different agencies and offices concerned to discuss the issues arising from the explosion at Chua’s warehouse.
During the meeting, District Fire Marshall Christopher Morales recommended the imposition of a total ban on firecrackers, fireworks and other pyrotechnics devices in the city to prevent repetition of the incident.
However, the proposal would still need the passage of a new city ordinance as there already exists an edict that allows the use of fireworks for entertainment or celebratory purposes, subject to terms and conditions.
Dalipe is also expected to issue an executive order mandating the City Engineer’s Office, the police and the barangay officials to conduct an inspection of all warehouses and storage facilities in the city.
City police director Col. Kimberly Molitas appraised those in the meeting that the ground zero of the explosion and its periphery remained closed to civilians and motorists, including residents of nearby houses, as clearing operations continued.
Molitas said there were still several boxes of pyrotechnics on site, although already drenched with water, but have yet to be retrieved and brought to Muti in the east coast for proper disposal.
“People cannot return yet to the area unless everything is cleared, for safety and precaution,” Molitas said, adding that they have received 37 complaints mostly claiming damages from the warehouse owner.
Also present during the meeting were City Administrator Atty. Wendell Sotto, Executive Assistant Gio Perez, City Planning Officer Ma. Luz Agbayani, City Engineer Christopher Navarro, City Social Welfare and Development Officer Ma. Socorro Rojas, City Licensing Officer Benjie Barredo, City Hall Spokesperson Liza Jocson, among others. (Vic Larato)
(Source: City Government of Zamboanga FB Page)