‘EO 28 equivalent to firecracker ban’

MALOLOS CITY, Philippines — President Duterte’s order regulating the sale and use of firecrackers in the country was tantamount to a ban.

During the first day of the five-day seminar on safe firecracker production and regulation at the Malolos Club Royal Resort yesterday, manufacturers lamented that Executive Order 28 regulating the sale and use of firecrackers has caused big losses to manufacturers and dealers.

Under EO 28, only some fireworks are allowed in designated display areas to prevent accidents during the New Year revelry.

But firecracker manufacturers said the list of fireworks display areas was not released on time, causing confusion to the buying public if they should buy firecrackers or not for the New Year revelry. This resulted in huge losses for the firecracker industry.

The fireworks industry has become an integral part of Bocaue’s culture as it has been a livelihood for many families in the municipality.

Bulacan Gov. Wilhelmino Sy Alvarado said EO 28 is a wake-up call for the fireworks industry to upgrade their trade to compete with counterparts in Southeast Asia.

Bocaue Mayor Eleanor Villanueva-Tugna is hoping that through the intervention of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the upgrading of technological requirements for the firecracker industry will help local manufacturers to eventually penetrate the world market.

Celso Cruz, chairman of the Philippine Pyrotechnics Manufacturers and Dealers Association Inc. and vice chair of the Pyrotechnics Regulatory Board of Bulacan, said manufacturers have made several recommendations to reduce fireworks-related injuries.