ILOILO – As much as possible, welcome 2022 without the deafening noise of firecrackers.
But if you can’t help it, buy only firecrackers that the authorities deem safe, and stay away from those deemed harmful, according to Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr.
“Ang indi puede dalagku gid. Sundon lang naton ini, at least nubo ang risgu mo. Kon makalikaw ka sa palupok, mas nubo pa gid ang risgu,” he said.
Republic Act (RA) 7183 that regulates the sale, manufacture, distribution, and use of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices and Executive Order (EO) 28 have identified firecrackers regulated for sale and use: Baby Rocket, Bawang, El Diablo, Judas’ Belt, Paper Caps, Pulling of Strings, Sky Rocket (Kwitis), and Small “Triangulo”.
As for pyrotechnic devices, these are allowed: Butterfly, Fountain, Jumbo Regular and Special, Luces, Mabuhay, Roman Candle, Sparklers, Trompillo, Whistle Device, and all kinds of pailaw.
On the other hand, the prohibited firecrackers are the following: Watusi, Piccolo, Poppop, Five Star, Pla-pla, Lolo Thunder, Giant Bawang, Giant Whistle Bomb, Atomic Bomb, Super Lolo, Atomic Triangle, Goodbye Bading, Large-size Judas Belt, Goodbye Philippines, Goodbye de Lima, Bin Laden, Hello Columbia, Mother Rockets, Goodbye Napoles, Coke-in-Can, Super Yolanda, Pillbox, Mother Rockets, Boga, Kwiton, and Kabasi.
As of 6 a.m. of Dec. 27, the Department of Health (DOH) central office so far recorded 19 fireworks-related injuries.
“These were 58 percent higher compared to 2020 [12 cases] and 67 percent lower than the five-year average [58 cases] during the same period,” Vergeire said.
All cases were injuries due to fireworks. There was no fireworks ingestion, stray bullet injury, or death reported.
Seven or 37 percent of cases occurred in Region 6.
Vergeire said 16 (84 percent) cases were due to illegal fireworks and three (16 percent) cases were due to legal fireworks.
In a related news, the Department of Health clarified that only two firecracker manufacturers have been given the go-signal to operate in Western Visayas – Madz Firecrackers and Pyrotechnics in Bacolod City and Mary P. Diaresco Pyrotechnics in Hinigaran, Negros Occidental.
Rachel Nufable, director of Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Negros Occidental, confirmed to Panay News that only these two were give the Philippine Standard (PS) mark by the Bureau of Philippine Standards.
Buy only those with the mark, said Nufable.
In Iloilo City, the designated fireworks zone are the following:
* Circumferential Road 1, corner Jocson Street (in Arevalo);
* Circumferential Road 1, corner Iloilo East Coast-Capiz along Ondoy’s Sugbahan (in Jaro);
* Muelle Loney Street, along Riverside front of Muelle Loney Statue (in City Proper).
The sale of allowed firecrackers outside designated firecracker zones is strictly prohibited and punishable under the law. Violators will face appropriate penalties while these items will be seized.
The PNP said community firework displays in local government units are encouraged as long as these are compliant with minimum health protocols and are held only on designated areas for safety purposes./PN
