Bogas fall silent this festive season

Manila: Police in the national capital region imposed a ban on popular alcohol-fuelled noisemakers after authorities noted a rise in accidents attributed to its use.

According to Director Reynaldo Varilla, chief of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), authorities imposed a ban on the use of the "PVC Boga" on the request of the Department of Health.

"An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure," Varilla said as he ordered police in Metro Manila to strictly enforce the ban on the Boga, which is made from simple 100 mm diameter Polyvinyl Chloride plumbing pipes and fitted with a device to detonate its fuel of denatured alcohol.

The PVC Boga has been enjoying huge popularity since it was introduced three years ago.

'Dangerous'

Some had been fitted with plastic toy guns to look like weapons seen in the movies. The noisemaker is actually a more modern adaptation of the kerosene or carbide fuelled bamboo cannons that Filipinos used as noisemakers during the earlier days when gunpowder-based firecrackers and pyrotechnics were expensive.

"At first glance the boga appears harmless but if we consider the number of accidents attributed to it, people will realise it is very dangerous," Varilla said.

According to Health Secretary Francisco Duque III records showed that most fireworks-related accidents this year had been attributed to the Boga.

"So far, there have been 33 accidents related to pre-New Year revelries blamed to the boga with 17 suffering eye injuries," he said.