In Lapu-Lapu City pyrotechnic vendors pass surprise check

CEBU, Philippines – At least 108 stalls selling fireworks in Barangay Babag, Lapu-Lapu City had passed the surprise inspection of the Lapu-Lapu City Fire Department on Friday.

Aside from permits posted in each pyrotechnic shop, District Fire Marshall Oscar Mayol said the stall owners had followed their instructions and safety measures on selling firecrackers.

"So far, okay ang atong nakita didto sa Babag, naa lang gamay nga violation," Mayol told The FREEMAN yesterday.

Mayol said there was one store that sells small gas tanks in the area but was immediately removed by owner to avoid untoward incidents.

"Na-correct ra man pud sila, atoa sab gipaundang ang pagluto og barbecue," Mayol added.

The road clearance in Barangay Babag was also checked by the fire department, according to Mayol.

He added that there are 16 stalls that were closed temporarily because the business is still slow.

"Uwan-uwan man gahapon, so far 16 ang wala pa namaligya kay mingaw pa man. Siguro karong weekend mangabli sila," Mayol said.

Juliet Wahing, a resident of Purok Judas Belt who owns a pyrotechnic business in the area, said Mayol's group had inspected their area.

"Okay raman, walay kalapasan kay amo man gituman ang mga instructions," Wahing said.

Wahing said she is one of the 108 store owners who have undergone seminars before starting the firecracker business.

People from neighboring cities and towns have been patronizing firecrackers in the barangay, Wahing said.

"Giingnan mi nga not allowed ang mga gagmay nga bata (duol sa mga pabuto) og ang distance sa balay dapat 300 meters away aron walay disgrasya," she said.

In Talisay City, meanwhile, a firecracker selling zone has been designated by the city government.

Mayor Johnny De los Reyes said the pyrotechnics vendors will only be allowed to sell firecrackers in such designated zone, lodcat within Barangay Lagtang covered court.

City information officer and disaster management officer Vince Monterde said only six  pyrotechnics vendors were issued business permits to sell and that the city strictly monitors the activities of these firecracker vendors to ensure that they will not be selling their products outside the zone.

Monterde said the covered court of Lagtang is designated as firecracker selling zone every year.

"Amo unta sila ibutang sa SRP-Talisay City area pero mas gusto nila sa Lagtang kay sukad niadto diha naman sila nahimutang. Hinuon ato gyud silang gipahimangnoan sa ilang obligasyon aron malikayan ang disgrasya," Monterde said.

Under the law, the firecracker zone, which is primarily intended for a firecracker factory, should be 300 meters away from a residential unit.

Monterde explained that the designation of firecracker zone aims to prevent fire hazards that may result to damage to properties and even deaths.

The Bureau of Fire Protection is also coordinating with the city police in monitoring and in confiscating illegally sold powerful firecrackers in the city to ensure that there will be no danger to the public.

At the same time, the Department of Interior and Local Government urged provincial governors, city and municipal mayors to take the lead in the conduct of an information campaign on the dangers of using polyvinyl chloride pipe, locally known as "boga" and other banned firecrackers.

Under Republic Act 7183 or An Act Regulating the Sale, Manufacture, Distribution and Use of Firecrackers and Other Pyrotechnic Devices, the common types of firecrackers that may be manufactured, sold, distributed and used are the following: baby rocket, "bawang," small triangulo, pulling of strings, paper caps, el Diablo, Judah's belt, sky rocket (kwitis), and other types equivalent in explosive content.

For pyrotechnic devices, those that are allowed are sparklers, luces, fountain, jumbo, mabuhay, Roman candle, trompillo, airwolf, whistle device, butterfly, among others.