TACLOBAN CITY, (PNA) –- The Leyte provincial board reminded the public not to use prohibited “lantaka” (home-made cannon) to make noise these holidays.
Leyte Vice Governor Carlo Loreto said the provincial legislative body has already passed the “lantaka ordinance” authored by Board Member Mesias Arevalo, prohibiting the use of lantaka made of cans and plastic pipes.
The ordinance also bans lantaka that uses triggers as firing ignition. Children below 10 years old are also prohibited from using the home-made cannon.
Only “lantakas” that are made of bamboo are allowed under the new ordinance.
Those who will be caught violating the ordinance will be penalized from PHP1,000 to PHP3,000 if they use improvised bullets for firing their lantaka; PHP2,000 to PHP5,000 and two months imprisonment for those who will use tin cans and plastic pipes.
Manufacturers of illegal lantaka will also be meted with fine ranging from PHP1,000 to PHP5,000, revocation of their license and imprisonment.
Those who will sell lantaka to children including parents and guardian will also be meted with fines.
“I hope that people will voluntarily avoid using illegal lantaka so that they will not suffer the consequence,” Loreto said.
“Using illegal materials for merriment will bring no good to people and will only destroy the essence of Christmas. Instead of looking for happiness in material things, people should learn to look for happiness within their family,” he added. (PNA)
