Balloons, sky lanterns release ban

The City Council passed on third and final reading an ordinance banning the release of balloons and sky lanterns. The ordinance provides to ban “all flying balloons and sky lanterns within the territorial jurisdiction and airspace of Davao City with the exemption of those used for research purposes in the field of science and technology and hot air balloons intended for transportation and recreation.”

The said ordinance was passed under the committee of public safety under Councilor Maria Belen Acosta who said the law shall fine any act of intentional release of flying balloons and lighted sky lanterns with P3,000 for 1st Offense, P3,500 fine for 2nd Offense and P5,000 for 3rd Offense.

“The intentional release of balloons is those that release balloons for specific occasions,” Acosta said. Anyone who will be involved in the release of balloons will be fined.

With the approval of the ordinance, customs of Filipino burial that releases balloons in the sky will now be banned according to Acosta.

Any other occasions that will include the release of balloons in the open space will also be banned.

“We also have a law prohibiting us to litter so if we release balloon in the open, it will go anywhere, whether in the canals, high power lines, or bodies of water. This is a concern of public safety as well as the environment,” Acosta said.

Meantime, release of sky lanterns is also banned with its threat to the public safety. “Sky lanterns are also prohibited because it is a naked flame and it may start fire,” she said.

The said ordinance will take effect 15 days upon approval, posting and publication and the implementing bodies are the police personnel and the City Mayor’s Office.