EDITORIAL - A struggling industry

The country’s fireworks industry was already struggling even before the COVID pandemic unleashed an economic tsunami alongside the sickness and death. With most pandemic restrictions now lifted, the industry is surely hoping for a better holiday season.

Last Friday’s accident in Laguna can only set back the recovery efforts of the industry. Five persons died in an explosion followed by a fire that probers attributed to firecrackers being manufactured without a license at a house in Canlubang.

The blast was heard at around 11:20 a.m. and the fire was placed under control by 12:03 p.m. When the smoke cleared, probers found in different parts of the house the bodies of five victims, ages 18 to 83. At least seven others in the household were reportedly injured in the fire. Initial investigation indicated that the blast occurred in the kitchen.

COVID lockdowns devastated the fireworks industry, but did not mean an end to accidents. On Dec. 10, 2020, a 13-year-old boy, his 15-year-old sister and their mother were injured when a Judas belt the mother was making set off an explosion of two drums of firecrackers inside their house in Lapu-Lapu City. Cebu. The boy was rushed to a hospital but pronounced dead. Probers said the mother decided to engage in the manufacture of firecrackers, even without a license and with little expertise, because the family needed money amid the COVID lockdowns.

Only last Nov. 3, at least eight people were reported injured when fireworks exploded in a factory reportedly operating without a license in Sta. Maria, Bulacan. The country’s fireworks capital has been trying to clamp down on the numerous mom-and-pop backyard operations throughout the province, not just for public safety purposes but also to improve product quality. The accident in Sta. Maria shows that more effort is needed.

The industry is regulated by law, and has managed to survive an ever-growing push for a nationwide total ban. The previous administration was no fan of fireworks and imposed tight restrictions on their use.

Industry leaders have promised to improve self-regulation and have hoped for government support to raise the quality of their products to global standards for export. All over the world, fireworks continue to be used for celebrations.

The Philippines, whose fireworks industry is among the oldest in the world, should have become a significant producer of world-class fireworks decades ago. Instead, as in many other aspects of national life, fireworks made in the Philippines have been struggling to compete with better quality imports. Deadly accidents in makeshift operations like the one in Laguna can only further sour consumer interest in local products. Stakeholders must decide which direction they intend to take the industry.