ILOILO City – Ilonggos are being discouraged from using firecrackers to welcome the New Year. But if they can’t help it, they should buy only firecrackers that meet the Philippine government’s quality standard.
According to Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 6’s Judith Degala, chief of the Consumer Protection Division, buyers must look for the Philippine Standard (PS) mark on firecrackers.
The PS mark signifies that the firecrackers passed safety and quality requirements upon checking by DTI’s Bureau of Philippines Standards, explained Degala.
To make sure that only licensed manufacturers are selling firecrackers this holiday season, DTI Region 6 formed inspection teams.
Firecrackers with no PS mark would be confiscated, said Degala.
She also clarified that the inspection teams would only be ensuring the PS marks on firecrackers, not their prices.
“We cannot regulate the prices of firecrackers because these are not considered basic necessities or prime commodities,” said Degala.
The DTI central office recently released a list of accredited firecracker manufacturers. These were the following:
* A.G.E Pyrotechnic Enterprises, Diamond fireworks, Double fireworks, Dragon Fireworks, Global Lions Fireworks, Golden Leopard King Fireworks Manufacturer, Leegendary Fireworks
* MADZ Firecrackers and Pyrotechnics, Mary P. Diaresco Pyrotechnics, Nation Fireworks, Pegasus Fireworks, Phoenix Fireworks, Platinum Fireworks
* Purity Fireworks, Pyro Kreations Fireworks, R and F Fireworks, Tiger fireworks, Wow Fireworks Manufacturing, and Yangco Fireworks./PN
