Stakeholders prepare for big demand for pyrotechnics

MALOLOS CITY, Philippines – Stakeholders are preparing for a big demand for pyrotechnics 16 days before the nation welcomes the New Year.

However, the same problems continue to hound the fireworks industry year after year.

Celso Cruz, Philippine Pyrotechnics Manufacturers and Dealers Association Inc. (PPMDAI) chairman emeritus, said among the major problems are the Department of Health (DOH)’s “Iwas Paputok” campaign,  the proliferation of smuggled pyrotechnic products, manufacture of killer firecrackers and unlicensed retailers, dealers and manufacturers.

Concerned government agencies seem to have forgotten their responsibilities of regulating the fireworks industry 22 years after Republic Act 7183, the law regulating the sale, manufacture, distribution and use of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices, was enacted, he added.

He identified these government agencies as   the DOH, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Philippine National Police (PNP) and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

Cruz said the law was enacted to help promote the local fireworks industry.

However, it seemed to have failed to accomplish its purpose because it was impossible to comply with many of its prohibitions, he added.

The term “firecracker” was not properly defined in the law, he said.

Cruz said dealers and manufacturers are supposed to renew their licenses before the end of January.

However, majority of dealers and manufacturers apply for renewal only during the onset of the “ber” months (September to December), he added.

Cruz said 50 percent of fireworks products   sold in the market are imported or smuggled.

Another 30 percent being sold in the market are considered illegally manufactured, he added.

Cruz said these fireworks have no proper labels and manufacturers come from dubious sources.

Of the total fireworks products being sold in the market, only around 20 percent are licensed, he added.

Cruz said the DOH has actively campaigned  for “Iwas Paputok” in the last several years, instead of “Ingat Paputok” that the PNP and PPMDAI have been promoting to lessen the injuries on merrymakers during the New Year.

More or less 6,000 fireworks retailers, dealers and manufacturers have attended PPMDAI and PNP safety seminars this year, he added.

Director Melito Mabilin, Civil Security Group chief, told The STAR the PNP and the PPMDAI are working together to uplift the pyrotechnic industry.

Innovative measures are being implemented to counter the import of finished pyrotechnic products in violation of law, he added.