BOCAUE, Bulacan — The Philippine Pyrotechnics Manufacturers and Dealers Association Inc. (PPMDAI) proposed to lawmakers to create a national pyrotechnic regulatory board to come up with proper regulations for the industry.
Celso Cruz, chairman emeritus of PPMDAI said the board will be composed of the PNP, industry stakeholders, Departments of Science and Technology, Trade and Industry, Health, and other agencies so that it can come up with proper regulations for the fireworks industry, but until now no such board has been overseeing the fireworks industry.
Cruz said that their group in coordination with the PNP has already come out with amendments to RA 7183 and came out with a revised implementing rules and regulations (IRR) in 2012 or 11 years ago.
However, the provisions in the said revised IRR are still not being properly implemented nowadays, Cruz lamented.
He also added that their group has already come out with proper chemical formulations compared to the old formulations that use potassium chlorate, a volatile chemical ingredient that is susceptible to accidental explosions, and come out with the more stable potassium perchlorate.
On the other hand, fireworks stakeholders were appealing to Atty. Benjamin Abalos Jr. of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) helped first with the proper implementations of RA 7183 also known as the Firecracker Law before proposing a nationwide ban on firecrackers.
Lea Alapide, president of the PPMDAI, explained that the law was created in 1992 and 31 years later its provisions are not properly implemented.
Under the said law, its administrator is the Philippine National Police and local government units can help in its implementation.
But sadly, Alapide added illegal fireworks manufacturers or those without necessary permits and licenses continue to exist leading to accidental explosions that cause loss of lives and injuries of the consumers to the detriment of the legitimate fireworks manufacturers.
She said that by properly implementing the provisions of the law, accidents can be minimized if not eradicated.
Meanwhile, 5 individuals were arrested for illegally manufacturing firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices in Bocaue, San Ildefonso, and Sta. Maria recently.
Lt. Col. Jacquiline P. Puapo, officer in charge, Bulacan PPO said arrested suspects were caught in the act of manufacturing illegal firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices and failed to present a license, permit, and other pertinent documents.
A criminal complaint for violation of R.A. 7183 is being prepared against the arrested suspect before the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor Office. (UnliNews Online)
