BOCAUE, Bulacan — In a last-ditch effort to prevent the manufacture, distribution and sale of banned and dangerous firecracker products in the market which would be used for New Year’s Eve celebrations, authorities inspected the firecracker zone in Barangay Turo, here on Wednesday (Dec. 27).
Bocaue town, known for its fireworks industry, is a popular destination for New Year’s Eve revelers.
The yearly inspection was led by PRO3 Regional Director Brig. Gen. Jose S. Hildalgo Jr. together with Bulacan provincial director Col. Relly Arnedo, Bocaue Vice Mayor Atty. Sherwin Tugna, and BFP personnel visited firecracker stores and warehouses in the said barangay.
Hidalgo said said during an interview that the annual inspection and auditing are done so that the police leadership will find out if there are loopholes in the campaign against illegal fireworks.
He added that it will also help them craft strategies to prevent the proliferation of prohibited firecrackers and pyrotechnic materials in line with Republic Act 7183, or An Act Regulating the Sale, Manufacture, Distribution, and Use of Firecrackers and other Pyrotechnic Devices.
Hidalgo also checked the permits and license to operate of dealers in compliance with RA 7183, MO 31 and EO 28.
“I would like to remind the public that firecrackers such as Piccolo, Watusi, Giant Whistle Bomb, Giant Bawang, Large Judas Belt, super Lolo/Thunder Lolo, Atomic Bomb, Atomic Big Triangulo, Pillbox, Boga, Kwiton, Goodbye Earth, Goodbye Bading, Hello Columbia, Coke-in-Can, Kabasi, Og, other unlabeled and imported firecrackers are all prohibited by our law,” Hidalgo added.
“Huwag nating tangkilikin at huwag nating i-patronize ang mga iligal. We should always aspire to have zero casualty, hindi lamang ngayong Kapaskuhan at New Year, kundi sa lahat ng bagay na may kinalaman sa paggawa ng krimen,” Hidalgo said.
Arnedo for his part said that those who will be caught manufacturing, selling, distributing or using illegal firecrackers and pyrotechnics will be fined P20,000 to P30,000, and will face six months to one year imprisonment, cancellation of license and business permit and confiscation of inventory stocks. (UnliNews Online)
