Fireworks stakeholders confirm sale of illegal pyro devices

MALOLOS, Bulacan, Philippines — Fireworks stakeholders in Bulacan have confirmed the sale of illegal imported pyrotechnics devices in the local market.

Joven Ong, Philippine Fireworks Association president, and Lea Alapide, Philippines Pyrotechnics Manufacturers and Dealers Association president, said their monitoring showed that illegal imported finished pyrotechnic devices are being sold discreetly in the local market.

With a little over a week to go before the New Year revelry, Ong suggested that the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)’s Bureau of Product Standard conduct a process audit on pyrotechnic devices.

Ong stressed that local product standard (PS) seals do not necessarily confirm that the pyrotechnic devices are locally made.

Librada Estrella of the consumer protection division of DTI Bulacan told The STAR that there are 15 fireworks manufacturers with valid PS licenses and that 13 of these are in Bulacan.

Meanwhile, the police Anti-Cybercrime Group arrested three men in Metro Manila and Olongapo City in Zambales on Thursday for illegally selling firecrackers using online platforms.