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[av_heading heading=’Vendors lament ‘strict’ ‘cracker rules ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]
BY CAROLYN JANE ABELLO
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ILOILO City – Selling firecrackers has become more difficult now, according to vendors interviewed by this paper.
They have to comply with the following requirements:
* Each stall must have “No Testing” and “No Smoking” tarpaulin signs bearing the telephone numbers of the Bureau of Fire Protection.
* Cooking is prohibited inside firecracker stalls.
* All displayed firecrackers/fireworks must have plastic cover.
* Only LED lights are allowed in the stalls.
* Electrical outlets are prohibited.
* Each stall must have at least one fire extinguisher.
These requirements were contained in Executive Order (EO) No. 151-2017 issued on Dec. 22 by Mayor Jose Espinosa III.
According to 59-year-old firecracker vendor Jocelyn Derogo, while their counterparts in Iloilo municipalities have long started selling, “Kami trasado kay (December) 22 lang gin okay-han maka-process sang permit.”
Espinosa allowed firecracker vendors to sell in only two areas – on the corner of Circumferential Road 1 and Jocson Street, Arevalo district and the corner of Circumferential Road 1 and Iloilo East Coast-Capiz highway in the vicinity of Ondoy’s Sugbahan in Barangay Buhang, Jaro district.
According to firecracker vendor Stanley Junio, 48, the city government also increased their business permit fee – P200 this year.
“Mas dako ang ginbaydan subong. Gamay ang area (but) ang permit mo doble ang gasto,” said Junio.
The EO set the measurements of firecracker stalls, which should at least be a meter apart from one another.
The maximum floor area for each stall should be eight square meters each and must have “double walling” of Hardiflex plywood (inner side) and tin/galvanized iron sheet (outer side).
The roof must also be galvanized iron.
Another vendor who asked to be identified only as “Gol” claimed hearing they would be charged P1,000 for erecting stalls/kiosks where to sell firecrackers.
“Sang una waay bayad, subong gapanukot na isa kalibo,” he said.
It was unclear who was demanding payment for the kiosks that the vendor themselves were erecting.
The EO allows firecracker vendors to sell only until Dec. 31./PN
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