DAVAO CITY (PNA) – “Wait until my term ends.”

This is apparently the message of City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte who asserted that existing ordinances against firecrackers, smoking in public places, and serving of alcoholic drinks past 2 a.m. will strictly be enforced despite the holidays.

Speaking at the year-end meeting of the City Peace and Order Council on Friday, the mayor said these laws are aimed at preserving public health, security, peace and order and should be observed until the next elective official who can repeal them.

“These policies will remain until the last day of my term,” he said, adding that many establishments have been begging the government to relax the liquor ban to take full advantage of the Yuletide season.

Duterte also warned traders of firecrackers and pyrotechnics against violating the ordinance, and mere possession of these goods would be a basis for their arrest even if they reason out that this city is only a transit point.

Duterte said he might give consideration on stocks of firecrackers transported through ships as long as these goods are not unloaded in any port in the city.

City Ordinance No. 060-02, Series of 2002, prohibits the sale, distribution, possession and use of firecrackers, pyrotechnic-devices or similar devices within the territory of this city.

The ordinance carries a penalty of P1,000 or one month imprisonment for the first offense, P3,000 or three-month jail term for the second offense, and P5,000 or six-month imprisonment for the third offense.

In addition to the penalties, the city will also cancel the permit of the business establishment after the third offense.