CEBU, Philippines - Setting off firecrackers is dangerous because it can hurt, or worse, it can kill people. However, despite the risks, there are still many people who use firecrackers during celebrations such as Christmas and New Year.
A firecracker is a small explosive device designed to produce a loud noise similar to a shot coming from a firearm. Firecrackers have wicks and are heavily wrapped in a paper casing.
The Department of Health (DOH) has repeatedly discouraged the public from using firecrackers to welcome Christmas and New Year, especially after the injuries and deaths that these explosives have caused through the years. In fact, the cities of Davao and Olongapo ban the use of such explosives.
The DOH campaign against the use of firecrackers has been proven effective with the decreasing number of firecracker victims the past few years. DOH officials, however, are still not satisfied with the statistics and would want people to stop using firecrackers completely.
Firecrackers are widely available throughout the country, except in the cities of Olongapo and Davao. They are not illegal per se, but the use of this kind of explosives is regulated by the government to prevent injuries and deaths. It is the manufacture, sale, storage and the use of firecrackers that are subject to laws to ensure the safety of the public.
From China,
to Phl, to Cebu
The use of firecrackers originated in China. Setting off firecrackers and fireworks are common during holidays or festivals in China such as the centuries-old Spring Festival. Legend says that an evil beast named Nian assaulted humans every Lunar New Year's eve in villages in ancient times.
Eventually, the villagers managed to scare the Nian away by setting off firecrackers, from which the traditional festival custom evolved. There are also stories, however, that speak of a Chinese cook who accidentally mixed potassium nitrate, sulfur and charcoal and, when he lighted the mixed ingredients, a mass of colorful flames burst.
The firecracker industry in the Philippines reportedly started in Bulacan. Until now, Bulacan is still very famous in the firecracker and pyrotechnics-making industry.
It was reported that a certain Valentin Sta. Ana first learned the craft of making firecrackers from the parish priest in Santa Maria town, Bulacan in 1867, while the country was still under the Spanish regime.
Valentin later passed on his skill to his children and grandchildren. The Sta. Ana family, until now, still operates a firecracker business in Bulacan.
In Cebu, Barangay Babag in Lapu-lapu City is famous, even to residents in other places in the Visayas and Mindanao, because of its firecracker industry that was pioneered by Julian Pongasi in the early 50s.
This writer was able to interview Pongasi before he died last year at the age of 78. Pongasi was proud that he pioneered the firecracker business in the entire island of Mactan, where Barangay Babag is located.
More often than not, the people that Pongasi hired to work for him in his firecracker factory would leave and start their own firecraker-making business after they learn the craft.
"Dili g'yud kadto dawo si Julian, manudlo g'yud kadto siya aron kuno mabilin niya ang iyang nahibaw-an," said Pongasi's wife Grace, who used to be a councilwoman of Barangay Babag.
Risking life and limb
Pongasi was a meticulous person who placed a lot of importance on the safety of his workers, and of his business. This is the reason why his firecracker manufacturing business never experienced tragic accidents.
It is a different story, however, for clandestine firecracker factories scattered in Barangay Babag.
Just two weeks ago, three workers of an illegal firecracker factory in Sitio Radar in Barangay Babag suffered burns in their bodies when the firecrackers they were working on exploded.
In 2006, a female worker of a clandestine firecracker factory died when a drum filled with gunpowder exploded.
In November 10, 2005, a cigarette butt that was accidentally thrown by a person sparked and triggered a huge explosion in a small house that was also used as a clandestine firecracker factory killing two persons - Jay-R Bontilao and Mary Kris Berdon -- and injuring several others.
While the law strictly prohibits the manufacturing of firecrackers in residential areas, illegal firecracker manufacturers usually operate in their backyards, and sometimes, even in their very own homes.
In November 12, 2004, nine-year-old Restituto Tangayan Jr. also died in Babag because of severe injuries caused by a firecracker blast inside their house. His mother and brother sustained injuries.
Records at Camp Crame show that firecracker-related accidents are also happening in other firecracker factories of the country, including in Bulacan.
At least 25 people were injured in Sampaloc Village, San Rafael town in Bulacan when a fire, followed by a blast, razed five work areas owned by Dragon Fireworks Inc. on June 13, 2008.
In Compostela Valley in Mindanao, a municipal councilor was rushed to the hospital when the 300 pieces of firecrackers that he purchased to celebrate the New Year accidentally exploded on December 27, 2007.
DOH reported that there were 1,279 firecracker-related injuries in 2000, then it went down to 629 in 2001 because of the massive information drive against the use of firecrackers. The figure continues to decrease to 530 in 2002 and 590 in 2003. In 2004, there were 548 firecracker-related injuries and 582 in 2005.
One of the major firecracker-related incidents happened in Barangay Turo in Bocaue, Bulacan in December 31, 2004 when seven people died and dozens of houses and stores destroyed after a fire broke out along a strip of stalls selling firecrackers.
Still in Bocaue, a firecracker factory also exploded in December 30, 1988 killing 12 persons and wounding several others.
In Lucena City, 18 people also died at a public market in December 31, 2003when a firecracker vendor set off a massive blaze by testing his wares too close to his storeroom.
Every year, law enforcement authorities conduct a series of seminars for those who engage in the firecracker manufacturing business, reminding them to be more careful to avoid accidents that may claim their own lives and that of their customers.
Barangay Babag Councilman Arsenio Berdin said there are over 100 families in their barangay who are engaged in the firecracker business, but hundreds of others also work as support staff, including women, but only for the non-hazardous jobs that does not deal with explosives. Berdin admitted that there are also minors who are working in the illegal firecracker factories in the barangay.
While legitimate firecracker makers can purchase explosives for their business, authorities are puzzled how those who are in the business illegally get their supplies. (To be continued…) — /QSB (FREEMAN)