BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – The Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) warned firecrackers and pyrotechnics merchants against selling outside of the designated areas for such.
The space behind the Pope John Paul II Tower at the Reclamation Area is the firecracker selling zone, according to Police Lieutenant Colonel Ariel Pico, BCPO spokesperson.
It is the only area in the city where firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices can be displayed and sold until Dec. 31.
Meanwhile, there are a total of 66 designated community fireworks display zones in the city’s 61 barangays.
“Ang iban nga dalagko nga mga barangay tag-duwa ang ila fireworks display zones,” Pico said.
The BCPO official warned violators of regulations on the use of firecrackers. He said they could face charges under Republic Act (RA) 7183, or “An act regulating the sale, manufacture, distribution, and use of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices.”
Those found guilty could face prison time of six months to a year, or paying P20,000 to P30,000 in fines.
Pico also identified several types of firecrackers that are prohibited from being sold or used such as Baby Rocket, Judas’ Belt, El Diablo, Paper Caps, Pulling of Strings, Sky Rocket (or kwitis), Small Triangulo, Butterfly, Fountain, Jumbo, regular and special Luces, Mabuhay, Roman Candle, Sparklers, Trompillo, and Whistle device
Pyro technique devices, on the other hand, should only be limited to sparklers and fountains.
Pico reiterated the ban on the use of PVC cannons or boga as it is “too dangerous,” especially when used by minors.
“Police will confiscate any boga they see and if the user is a minor, he or she will be immediately turned over to the city’s social services,” Pico said.
Since there are still no laws prohibiting the use of firecrackers, the BCPO could only discourage the public from using them.
Pico also revealed that data showed a drop in the number of firecracker manufacturers and dealers this year.
He said they only listed 10 this year – way below last year’s 30 – while the number of retailers is down to 20 from 60 in 2019./PN
