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YESTERDAY, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) threatened to impose fine on – or imprison – those proliferating or using illegal firecrackers and pyrotechnics.
How exactly does DILG intend to enforce Republic Act 7183, the law regulating and controlling the manufacture, sale, distribution, and use of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices?
EcoWaste Coalition, a civil society partner of the Department of Health-led “Iwas Paputok” campaign, has offered a sensible suggestion: tap barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) councils. They can comb streets within their jurisdiction to stop the sale of banned firecrackers.
Barangay and SK officials are in a strategic position to monitor and halt the sale of prohibited firecrackers in areas under their care and jurisdiction. What are these banned firecrackers? The DILG identified them as follows: Piccolo or “scratch bangers,” pop pop, Goodbye Philippines or Crying Bading, Yolanda or Goodbye Napoles, Pla-pla, Giant Kuwitis, Watusi or “dancing firecrackers,” Super Lolo, Atomic Big Trianggulo, Mother Rockets, Lolo Thunder, Pillbox, Boga, Big Judah’s Belt, Big Bawang, Kwiton, Bin Laden, Kabasi, Atomic Bomb, Five Star, Og, and Giant Whistle Bombs. All firecrackers with gunpowder exceeding two grams or 1.3 teaspoons are also banned.
We urge barangay and youth councils to spend the next few days combing the streets to apprehend even sari-sari store owners and others engaged in the unlawful sale of banned firecrackers, including those that sell firecrackers to minors. Our policemen can’t do this by themselves as they would be too busy securing communities from criminal elements such as robbers, drug traffickers and even insurgents. They need the help of civilians.
Republic Act 7183 penalizes violators with a fine of not less than P20,000 but not more than P30,000, or imprisonment from six months to one year, or both such fine and jail term. But this is only effective when truly enforced.
According to the DILG, only the following firecrackers are allowed: Baby rocket, bawang, small triangle, pulling of strings, paper caps, el diablo, and sky rocket (kwitis), sparklers, luces, fountains, jumbo regular and special, mabuhay, Roman candle, trompillo, airwolf, whistle device, and butterfly.
But why use firecrackers at all to welcome the New Year when we can have a safer and cleaner celebration? Firecrackers have adverse effects on human health and the environment.
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