Negrenses encouraged to watch community fireworks for safe New Year

The Department of Health-Negros Island Region (DOH-NIR) on Wednesday reiterated its call for the public to avoid using fireworks, and instead watch a community fireworks display to safely welcome the New Year.

“For a safer and happier celebration, the public is encouraged to join the community fireworks displays prepared by the local governments in your area,” the DOH-NIR said in its advisory.

In Negros Occidental, among the local government units organizing community fireworks display are the cities of Bacolod and Talisay as well as the municipalities of Calatrava, E.B. Magalona, Pulupandan and Moises Padilla.

Those in Negros Oriental can watch the community fireworks display in the cities of Dumaguete and Bais, and in the towns of San Jose, Basay, Siaton and Jimalalud.

In Bacolod City, 45 community fireworks zones have been identified in more than 30 barangays, based on the list provided by the Bacolod City Police Office.

The identified locations are being supervised by the 10 police stations across the city.

At the Bacolod City Government Center, the New Year’s Day countdown will start at 10 p.m. and will usher in 2026 with a fireworks display by midnight.

Meanwhile, a 24-year-old man was injured while four structures were hit by fire in Purok Riverside, Barangay Banago past 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) – Bacolod City Fire Station said in a report.

The fire started at H&D Hardware, one of the two stores affected by the blaze, and spread to two houses.

On Tuesday, six houses were destroyed while an industrial building was damaged by fire on Luzuriaga Street in Barangay 31 around 5:30 p.m.

The blaze affected 23 individuals from 11 families, who are now staying at the barangay hall.

The city’s Department of Social Services and Development provided assistance to the displaced families.* (Nanette Guadalquiver/PNA)