MANILA, Philippines — Security at bus terminals, train stations, sea and airports is tightened even before the New Year as transportation authorities keep an eye on people who will be transporting banned firecrackers and illegal drugs during the yearend holiday.

Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II instructed the agencies under the Department of Transportation and Communications (DoTC) to step up security and safety checks in various air, sea and land ports and terminals to watch out for illegal trafficking of prohibited firecrackers such as Big Triangle, Super Lolo and equivalents, Mother Rocket, Five Star, Og, Pla-Pla, Pillbox, Goodbye Earth, and Atomic.

Roxas said that the DoTC and its attached agencies are closely working with the Philippine National Police and other law enforcement arms, in an effort to crack down on the sale and transport of banned firecrackers whether by rail, road, sea and air.

“The DoTC and other agencies that regulate transportation all over the country will be uncompromising in enforcing the law against the movement of dangerous firecrackers, pyrotechnics, as well as firearms that may be illegally discharged in the New Year’s Eve revelry,” Roxas said.

Various areas in Metro Manila were also on alert status for the revelry on Saturday.

Dr. Isaias Ramos, officer-in-charge of the Taguig City Health Office, said on Thursday that hospital staff from the Taguig-Pateros Hospital will go on heightened alert status for the possible influx of persons injured by firecrackers.

Las Piñas City Mayor Vergel Aguilar appealed to residents to refrain from using smog-causing firecrackers. Aguilar made the appeal following experts warning that smoke from firecrackers are health hazards that can cause eye irritation, rhinitis (nose), respiratory diseases, particularly on lungs such as asthma, emphysema, bronchitis, pneumonia, coughing, sinusitis, flu, colds, sore throat; dizziness, headache, blurred vision, confusion, increase heartbeat and blood pressure, fainting, constipation and skin irritation.

But in San Juan City, residents will welcome the New Year at the Plaza ng Masa on N. Domingo Street.

Councilor Vincent Pacheco, History, Culture and Tourism Chairperson of San Juan, said that the event will start at around 7 p.m. which will also showcase the grand finals of the "San Juan's Got Talent" competition. A total of 12 groups from barangays, schools and Sangguniang Kabataan will be performing, to be followed by performances from homegrown bands and artist.

San Juan Mayor Guia Gomez, Representative Joseph Victor Ejercito, and other local government officials will formally light the fireworks display at 12 midnight. (with reports from Jean Fernando, Francis Wakefield and Carlos Suerte Felipe)