ILOILO City – Firecracker and pyrotechnic vendors are allowed to sell in only three areas here this holiday season – Circumferential Road C1 in Arevalo district, on the corner of the East Coast Iloilo-Capiz Road and Circumferential Road in Jaro district, and along Muelle Loney Street in the City Proper.
Vendors may set up kiosks in these areas beginning Dec. 23, according to Senior Fire Officer 4 Aquilino Sampiano, chief of operation of the Iloilo City Fire Station.
The firecracker selling will be allowed up to Dec. 31 only.
Vendors, however, must first secure special permits from the Bureau of Fire Protection, from the Business Permits and Licensing Office of city hall, and from the Firearm and Explosive Office of the Police Regional Office 6 in Camp Delgado.
So far, according to Sampiano, 71 firecracker and pyrotechnic vendors have secured permits but their number could still increase.
Of these 71 vendors, 37 are for the firecracker zone in Arevalo (Circumferential Road C1), 32 for the Jaro firecracker zone (corner of the East Coast Iloilo-Capiz Road and Circumferential Road) and two for the City Proper firecracker zone (Muelle Loney).
Vendors must follow the specifications and requirements for kiosks, said Sampiano. These are the following:
* 4×2-meter area
* exterior wall – galvanized iron sheet
* interior wall – Hardiflex
* use only LED lights for illumination
* no electrical sockets allowed
* cooking not allowed
* must have a fire extinguisher, stock of water or sand
“All kiosks must also display prominently the sign ‘No testing and no smoking’,” said Sampiano.
The fire bureau identified eight
firecrackers that may be sold: Baby Rocket, Bawang, Small Triangulo, Pulling
Strings, Paper Caps, El Diablo, Judah’s Belt, and Sky Rocket.
For pyrotechnics, the following are allowed: Sparklers, Luces, Fountain, Jumbo
Regular and Special, Mabuhay, Roman Candles, Trompillo, Whistle Devices,
Airwolf, and Butterfly
Meanwhile, the following firecrackers and pyrotechnics are banned:
* Watusi
* Piccolo
* Mother Rockets
* Pillbox
* Boga
* Big Judah’s Belt
* Big Bawang
* Kwiton
* Goodbye Philippines
According to Sampiano, these firecrackers and pyrotechnics are too powerful, thus dangerous to public safety.
Blasting firecrackers or pyrotechnics to celebrate Christmas and welcome the New Year is a Filipino tradition. The loud sound created by the blast is believed to ward off evil spirits and bad luck./PN