By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Apprehesive of losing their livelihood, fireworks manufacturers on Tuesday (19 Dec 2023), strongly opposed Interior Secretary Abalos’s call for a total firecracker ban, saying there should be stricter regulations instead.
The Philippine Fireworks Association (PFA) claimed that recent incidents that caused injuries occurred due to inadequate regulation and improper packaging.
“Hindi kailangan na i-ban. Ang nangyayari lately, kulang ang regulasyon. Dapat higpitan ang regulasyon,” PFA president Joven Ong said in a TeleRadyo interview.
He said the recent reported explosion of a cargo truck carrying a load of fireworks in Marikina City happened because the firecrackers were improperly packaged.
Last December 11, four people, including the owner, died when a blaze struck a firecracker factory in Barangay Babag, Lapu-Lapu City.
On Monday, December 18, Abalos urged local governments to pass ordinances banning firecrackers in homes and encourage community fireworks displays instead.
“Nananawagan ako sana ang mga LGU, magpasa ng gaya ng ginawa ng Davao at Quezon City, ng firecracker ban. Ibig sabihin ‘yung mga pumuputok. Kasi nakita naman natin ‘yung mga daliri napuputol, i-ban na natin totally ‘yun,” Abalos said.
He also asked local government units to sponsor community viewings of fireworks displays instead of tolerating firecrackers that caused injuries.
Abalos cited the success of the total firecracker ban in Davao City under the Dutertes and in Quezon City.
To recall, former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte signed Executive Order 28 banning fireworks in households or places of residence nationwide.
Only community fireworks displays supervised by licensed individuals are allowed.
(IA/MNM)