With President Duterte’s deferment of his plan to impose a nationwide firecracker ban,Interior and Local Government Secretary Ismael Sueno today said concerned agencies will have to work together to regulate and control the sale,manufacture,distribution and use of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices.
In Memorandum Circular No. 2016-176,Sueno also enjoined the Philippine National Police (PNP),Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP),and local government units (LGUs) to adopt advocacy campaigns and measures to prevent firecracker and firework - related injuries or death and damage to properties during the Christmas and New Year celebrations.
“To keep Christmas and New Year celebrations safe for all Filipinos, all concerned agencies will have to be on their toes to see to it that all existing regulations on the sale and use of firecrackers will be complied with,”he said.
The DILG Secretary issued the directive due to consistent high statistics of injuries and fatalities emanating from the indiscriminate use of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices despite the ban on their manufacture and sale.
Republic Act No. 7183 regulates the sale,manufacture and use of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices.
In his directive,Sueno urged city and municipal mayors to cause the enactment of an ordinance which regulates firecracker manufacture and use and promote an alternative form of revelry.
“Mayors should also take the lead in the conduct of an information campaign within their localities on the dangers of fire due to the use of firecrackers as well as on the dangers of using polyvinyl chloride pipe or‘boga’ and firearms,”he said.
‘Boga’ is one of the prohibited firecrackers under RA 7183 and its revised Implementing Rules and Regulations.Other prohibited items are:Atomic big; Trianggulo;Super Lolo,Giant Whistle Bomb;and other types of equivalent content, as well as those overweight or more than 0.2 grams or more than one third teaspoon in explosive content;firecrackers which are oversized, with fuse that burns in less than 3 seconds or more than 6 seconds,with mixture of phosphorous or sulfur chlorate;imported finished firecracker products;Polyvinyl pipe(boga); and those that manufacture,sell or distribute without the necessary occupancy permit or business or permit to operate;those that are delivered without a“permit to transport,”in the case of dealers selling imported fireworks in the market.
Mayors are also expected to designate the following zones within their localities in accordance with RA 7183: manufacturing zone where a manufacturing complex may be established;display center or firecracker and pyrotechnic zone for selling firecrackers and pyrotechnics;and fireworks exhibition zone where fireworks shows may be conducted.
On the part of barangay governments,it is their responsibility to assign barangay tanods to conduct regular ‘ronda’ to assist the police in monitoring and ensuring that manufacturing, display center,and fireworks exhibition are within the designated zones.
Meanwhile,the PNP is in-charge of the following,among others:
• Conduct regional safety trainings for manufacturers,dealers,distributors and aerial display operators of fireworks to minimize incidents
• Issue a PNP permit to transport firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices
• Conduct checkpoints to prevent the proliferation of loose firearms and other deadly instruments that can endanger the populace
• Implement appropriate measures to prevent all gun holders from illegally discharging their firearms during the yuletide season
The BFP,for its part,shall ensure that no person shall manufacture,store,handle or use and firework material without securing a fire safety inspection certificate.It shall also undertake joint activities with the PNP in conducting joint inspection and seizure of prohibited firecrackers.
“As we welcome the Yuletide Season, we in the national government sincerely wish each and every Filipino happy holidays.And most importantly, we in the DILG would like to ensure that there will be no disruption in the celebration of the nativity of Jesus Christ,that is why we are making sure that all necessary measures will be carried out for a safe and fun-filled Christmas season,”said Sueno. # Source – www.dilg.gov.ph
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