ILOILO – The provincial government is not banning the manufacture, distribution, sale, and use of firecrackers and pyrotechnics this holiday season.
“Yes, allowed but regulated,” said Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr.
There’s only one activity the governor would be prohibiting for the Christmas and New Year’s Eve merrymaking – community fireworks display.
Mounting this public spectacle could be risky, according to Defensor.
Community fireworks display, he said, could gather a substantial number of people and increase the possibility of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) transmission.
“Wala lang sang community fireworks display,” Defensor stressed.
He reiterated the provisions of his Executive Order Number 183-G, Series of 2020 implementing additional and adjusted community quarantine measures on the movement of persons, minimum public health standards in establishments, industries and livelihood sectors, and public events and gatherings.
Defensor likewise urged firecracker and pyrotechnic vendors to strictly follow Republic Act (RA) 7183, or An Act Regulating the Sale, Manufacture, Distribution and Use of Firecrackers and Other Pyrotechnic Devices.
RA 7183 lists firecrackers that may be sold by accredited manufacturers. These are Baby Rocket, Bawang, El Diablo, Judas’ Belt, Paper Caps, “Pulling of Strings”, Sky Rocket (kwitis), small “triangulo”, Butterfly, Fountain, Jumbo, regular, and special luces, Mabuhay, Roman Candle, Sparklers, Trompillo, and whistle device.
Firecrackers or pyrotechnic devices with explosive content that “could endanger life and limb” are prohibited. These are Piccolo, Super Lolo, Atomic Triangle, Large Judas’ Belt, Large Bawang, Pillbox, Boga, Goodbye Philippines, Bin Laden, Mother Rockets, Lolo Thunder, Coke-in-Can, Kwitom, Atomic Bomb, Five Star, Pla-pla, giant whistle bomb, Kabasi, and oOther unlabeled imported firecrackers.
Defensor said it’s up to local government units to implement additional rules on the sale and use of firecrackers.
Setting off firecrackers during the holiday season, especially when welcoming the New Year, is an age-old Filipino tradition. Without this, the celebration seems incomplete. For the enterprising manufacturers, it is a good source of income.
In a recent nationwide address, President Rodrigo Duterte said he might ban “totally” the use of firecrackers and pyrotechnics in the Philippines.
In a public briefing on Monday night, Duterte said he might strictly prohibit firecrackers and pyrotechnics by December next year.
“It’s really a dangerous thing, and for reasons of public safety and health,” he said.
Duterte likewise warned Filipinos who like to fire their guns to make noise during the eves of Christmas and New Year.
Last January, the Department of Health said firecracker-related injuries were down 35 percent from Dec. 21, 2019 to early morning of Jan. 1, 2020, during the same comparable period leading to New Year’s Day in 2019./PN
