Fireworks blast jolts Bocaue, sets off blaze, hurts 19

By Orlan Mauricio

BOCAUE, Bulacan—A stockpile of fireworks and pyrotechnics chemicals exploded early dawn Thursday in Barangay Bundukan here injuring 19 people and damaging residential houses within a 100-meter radius. The blast was so powerful that it awakened residents in the nearby towns of Sta.Maria and Marilao.

Former Manila Standard proof-reader Ramon Lazaro, who resides at the Bocaue Poblacion, said they were about three barangays away from the epicenter of the blast and heard the “atomiclike” explosion. The blast caused a massive fire in the residential area, and was put under control three hours later. shall have jurisdiction to issue a restraining order, preliminary injunction, or preliminary mandatory injunction in any case, dispute, or controversy that directly or indirectly interferes with the exercise of the powers, duties and responsibilities of the Commission that falls exclusively within its jurisdiction. Invoking the proviso, the SEC assailed the judge’s issuance of a TRO and WPI against the CDO, saying it constituted gross ignorance of the law. For his part, Judge Noel maintained that the charges against him were baseless and that SEC has itself to blame for its failure to defend its position before the court.

Bocaue municipal disaster risk reduction management officer Rodante Galvez said no casualties were reported in the conflagration, but four persons were taken to the Villanueva Hospital in Bocaue for medical treatments due to the wounds from the explosion.

SINGLE TICKETING SYSTEM ON THE TABLE.

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Romando Artes and San Juan City Mayor and concurrent Metro Manila Counci president Francis Zamora discuss the final stages of the single ticketing system set for implementation in the National Capital Region starting July. The MMDA has released the first batch of hand-held devices for the initial execution of the program. (See related story) Manny Palmero one of the topics discussed during the Metro Manila Council (MMC) meeting, also on Thursday. The MMC, composed of the 17 NCR mayor, is the governing board and policy-making body of the MMDA.

Present during the meeting were San Juan Mayor and MMC president Francis Zamora, Pasay Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano, and Malabon Mayor Jeannie Sandoval.