ILOILO City — Firecracker and fireworks vendors in this city are beginning to feel an uptick in customer traffic as the New Year approaches, fueling optimism among sellers who are counting on stronger sales in the final days of the year.
Vendors said buyers traditionally flock to firecracker stalls from December 29 to 31, a pattern they expect to hold despite economic challenges and stricter regulations.
Jing Villanueva, who runs a firecracker stall with his wife Jocelyn in Barangay Buhang, Jaro district, said sales have gradually picked up after a slow start earlier this season.
“During the first days of operation, sales were not very strong, but now we are seeing more customers,” Villanueva told Panay News. “By December 31, it usually becomes very crowded. Parking becomes difficult because of the number of buyers.”
Villanueva, who has been in the firecracker business for more than 10 years, said many customers prefer to buy closer to New Year’s Eve to avoid the risks of storing firecrackers at home.
“Most people buy from December 29 to 31. They don’t want to keep firecrackers at home because of safety concerns,” he said.
He added that repeat customers and product quality play a key role in sustaining their business. The couple sources their firecrackers and fireworks from Bulacan, which Villanueva described as “tested and proven” in terms of quality.
Villanueva believes that firecrackers remain deeply embedded in Filipino New Year traditions, as many people continue to believe they drive away bad spirits and bring good luck.
In Molo district, vendor Cynthia Francha said sales have been “generally good,” with daily earnings reaching as high as P38,000 from December 23 to 25.
“So far, sales are okay. Yesterday, many people were buying,” Francha said on Monday. “With so many vendors, it’s a matter of luck where customers choose to stop. But my sales yesterday were good.”
Despite inflation and economic difficulties, Francha said demand for firecrackers remains strong. She noted that even during past attempts to impose stricter bans on firecrackers, consumers continued to buy them.
“Based on my experience, even when there was a total ban before, firecrackers were never completely stopped,” she said. “Last year, our income was also good. On December 31, sales usually peak at night, as long as it doesn’t rain.”
However, Francha acknowledged that vendors now face stricter regulatory requirements. She said the Iloilo City Government, Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and other law enforcement agencies have been rigorous in checking business permits, licenses to operate, and other documents before allowing vendors to set up stalls.
Authorities also inspect whether firecrackers and fireworks being sold are properly labeled, she added.
Meanwhile, Dante Talaboc, president of the Barangay Buhang Firecrackers and Pyrotechnics Association, said sales this year have been slower compared to previous years, which he attributed partly to economic hardship.
Talaboc, who has been selling firecrackers for more than 30 years, said December 24 — typically one of the strongest selling days — was particularly weak this year.
“Last year, December 24 was already strong, but this year sales were very low,” Talaboc said. “We really feel the slowdown.”
So far, Talaboc’s highest single-day sales reached P70,000 on December 23. He said he had hoped to earn up to P200,000 this season, especially since he operates three stalls with a large volume of displayed stock.
“Sales have been difficult,” he said, adding that competition from other suppliers and retailers may also be affecting income.
Talaboc noted that sales at his stalls have so far been limited mainly to smaller firecrackers, such as triangle-type items.
He added that other members of the Barangay Buhang Firecrackers and Pyrotechnics Association have similarly experienced sluggish sales. At present, the association has 28 members operating around 40 kiosks, as some vendors manage two or three stalls./PN
