MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte issued a memorandum suspending the granting of new licenses and permits for the manufacture, sale and distribution of firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices.
The existing licensees and permitees’ compliance with existing laws, rules and regulations are currently under review.
In Memorandum Order 31, Duterte ordered the Philippine National Police and other concerned agencies to strictly implement laws and regulations on the sale, manufacture and use of firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices.
“The suspension herein ordered shall remain in effect until declared lifted by the Office of the President upon recommendation of the PNP Chief and his submission of a report on the review undertaken on existing licenses and permits,” the memo stated.
Duterte’s order gave the PNP the power to revoke licenses and permits of makers and vendors violating existing laws, and order the processing of applications for the issuance of licenses or permits to those who follow rules.
In addition, the PNP must conduct inspections, confiscate and destroy prohibited firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices, and strictly prohibit the import of such devices, stated the presidential memo.
Earlier Duterte issued Executive Order 28 which regulated the use of firecrackers and fireworks due to “firecracker-related injuries and deaths” and also prohibited the sale of firecrackers to “anyone under 18 years of age.”
Department of Health records showed that the banned piccolo remained as the main cause of firecracker-related injuries last year – it caused 33 percent of the injuries – followed by kwitis (12 percent) and fountain (5 percent)./PN
