ILOILO City – Firecrackers and pyrotechnics should only be sold and bought in areas designated for such by local government units (LGUs).
Non-compliance could result in the confiscation of these items, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Region 6 reminded retailers, although it prefers to use the term “abatement” because these traders are given the chance to take them back.
Fire Chief Superintendent Jerry Candido, BFP-6 director, said the local chief executive (LCE) of an LGU will be issuing a list of areas where kiosks for firecrackers and pyrotechnics should be set up.
The designated areas should be non-populous and far from residences. The kiosks should have fire safety equipment, such as fire extinguisher, water and sand, on standby.
They should have obtained fire safety inspection certificates from the BFP, too, which is a requirement before the LGU issues a permit to retailers or sellers.
Before the issuance of the certificate, a site inspection will be conducted to determine compliance with the fire safety code.
Candido said retailers have been gradually applying for fire safety inspection certificates, and their numbers are expected to increase as Christmas approaches, particularly in the highly urbanized cities of Iloilo and Bacolod.
“Dapat ang gina-aplayan nga baligyaan is sa designated area sang LGU or if in cities, sa designated area sang aton mayor. Otherwise, indi namon sila pag-isyuhan sang fire safety inspection certificate,” Candido told Panay News in an interview on Friday, Dec. 15.
What Happens to Firecrackers Sold Outside of Designated Zones?
Candido acknowledged that in past years, some vendors sold firecrackers in Iloilo City’s downtown area, public markets, malls, and other congested areas around Western Visayas.
If the BFP chances upon firecrackers being sold in non-designated areas during their regular patrolling and monitoring, they will take these to the fire station. The establishment or stall will be issued with a receipt.
The retailers may claim the firecrackers and pyrotechnics once they prove to the BFP that they have a proper facility that meets the fire safety code.
“Gina-remind ko lang ang publiko nga kon kamo indi sa designated area, i-abate namon ang inyo baligya. Sa BFP, we are required nga mag-issue sang resibo. Amo na ang proof sang tag-iya kon gusto niya nga bawion, puede bawion provided may ara storage area nga naga-comply sang fire safety requirments,” said Candido.
But he reminded that, “Next time kon madakpan, we will impose a fine and probably file a criminal complaint kay intentional na.”
Firecracker selling is prohibited in convergence points and congested areas because a lot of people will be affected in case something happens.
But the BFP allowed sellers in congested areas like malls, markets and downtown area to display pictures and video materials of the firecrackers being sold. Once the buyer decides, only then can the vendor take it out of storage.
“Sa aton sa downtown damo pa na nagabaligya sa kilid-kilid. Na-istorya na namon sila and na-warning-an. So, pasensyahanay lang gid kami kon lubagon pa gid nila ang amon warning. You know naman ang downtown naton kagamay sang dalan kag damo tawo; once gani nga may matabu, madamo sang ma-injure,” Candido explained.
Because of this, authorities are urging the public to be cooperative and supportive of the BFP and PNP’s mandate regarding firecrackers to avoid any risk. Smoking near firecrackers and pyrotechnics is also highly discouraged to avoid fire.
“Kon nagabaligya sila sa bisan diin ti illegal na ang obrahon ninyo. Kon illegal ang obrahon ninyo, may capital na ina ang ginabaligya ninyo, so kon kuhaon namon ina mapierde kamo. So stop doing it. Didto kamo baligya sa designated areas. Sa nahambal ko na mahapos magkuha sang fire safety inspection certificate,” Candido said.
The BFP-6 director said if retailers have difficulty obtaining a certificate, they may ask the BFP for assistance.
Prohibited Firecrackers
This week, the PNP released the list of prohibited firecrackers.
These are piccolo, watusi, giant whistle bomb, giant bawang, large Judas’ belt, super lolo, lolo thunder, atomic bomb, atomic bomb triangulo, pillbox, boga, kwiton, goodbye earth, goodbye bading, and hello Columbia.
Under Republic Act No. 7183, or “An Act Regulating the Sale, Manufacture, Distribution, and Use of Firecrackers and Other Pyrotechnic Devices,” and Executive Order 28, firecrackers that are regulated for sale and use are baby rocket, bawang, el diablo, Judas’ belt, paper caps, pulling of strings, skyrocket (kwitis), small triangulo, and other types of firecrackers that are not oversized, not overweight, and not imported.
The following is the list of pyrotechnic devices allowed to be sold and used: butterfly, fountain, jumbo regular and special, luces, mabuhay, roman candle, sparklers trompillo, whistle device, all kinds of pyrotechnic devices (pailaw), and other types equivalent to the foregoing pyrotechnic devices./PN
