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[av_heading heading=’Labor dep’t stops manufacture, sale of ‘crackers ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY GLENDA SOLOGASTOA
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ILOILO City – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) stopped the manufacture and sale of firecrackers and pyrotechnics across the country.
It issued the order following a series of recent firecracker-related explosions in Bulacan province.
In this city, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) confirmed it has started enforcing DOLE’s work stoppage order issued on Nov. 24.
City Fire Marshal Jerry Candido, however, clarified that DOLE was not totally banning the manufacture and sale of firecrackers and pyrotechnics.
DOLE regional directors may lift the work stoppage order if reassessments of firecracker manufacturing and retail businesses show these were safe, he clarified.
“DOLE, in coordination with the police, BFP and local governments will re-assess each establishment for safety standards compliance,” said Candido.
In issuing the work stoppage order, DOLE secretary Silvestre Bello III noted the “existence of grave and imminent danger to the health and safety of workers in the workplace involved in the production of pyrotechnics and firecrackers.”
Candido said there is only one association of firecracker manufacturers in Iloilo City and this is composed of more or less 10 small-time entrepreneurs.
He also said only five establishments have so far secured permits to sell firecrackers.
BFP-Iloilo City, in coordination with the police and city government, formed a joint task force Friday last week to implement DOLE’s order.
On Saturday, “80 percent” of manufacturers in the city already stopped, said Candido.
“Ang problema lang namon ang gaobra sang gagmay sa ila mga balay. Indi sila ma-monitor because pwede nila matago,” he said.
Candido appealed for the public’s help.
“Kon may nabal-an kamo nga neighbor nga ga-obra, i-report sa amon,” said Candido.
On Oct. 12, two persons were killed and 24 others were injured in a firecracker explosion in Barangay Biñang 1st, Bocaue, Bulacan.
Just this Nov. 23, three persons were killed and six others were wounded in an explosion at AA Firecracker Manufacturing in Sitio Bangka-Bangkaan, Pulong Buhangin, Sta. Maria, Bulacan./PN
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