DAGUPAN CITY (PIA) – The Pangasinan Provincial Police Office (PPO) has reminded all vendors in the province to sell only certified firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices.
Police Captain Renan Dela Cruz, provincial information officer of Pangasinan PPO, said regulations and laws on the use and selling of firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices should be abided by the sellers and also the buyers to avoid fire incidents and penalties under the law.
“Firecrackers exceeding the legal limit of 0.3 grams of gunpowder and those with improper fuses are strictly prohibited,” Dela Cruz said.
Dela Cruz said watusi, pop pop, five star, pla-pla, piccolo, giant bawang, goodbye bading, goodbye Philippines, atomic bomb, super lolo, hello Colombia, Judas’ belt, giant whistle bomb, atomic triangle, mother rocket, goodbye De Lima, goodbye Napoles, coke-in-can, super Yolanda, pillbox star, kabasi, hamas and all overweight and oversized, imported finished products, as well as all unlabeled locally made firecrackers and pyrotechnic products, are not allowed to be used anywhere in the Philippines or inside and outside firecrackers zone or local government unit (LGU)-designated community fireworks display area.
Dela Cruz also reminded all sellers to display their products in areas designated by their respective LGUs.
Under the Republic Act No. 7183, sellers found selling prohibited firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices will face a fine ranging from P20,000 to P30,000 or imprisonment of a minimum of six months up to one year, or both at the discretion of the court.
Sellers may also have their license and business permit canceled and their stocks confiscated if found out selling prohibited products.
He added that the Pangasinan police along with the LGUs and the Bureau of Fire Protection will continuously monitor and inspect stores selling firecrackers and fireworks to minimize firework- related incidents and ensure the safety of the public during the holidays.
Dela Cruz also reminded the buyers to buy only from licensed fireworks vendors and check the seller’s permit to ensure that the fireworks, firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices they are buying are tested for safety.
Likewise, the Department of Trade and Industry reminded the public to only purchase fireworks and firecrackers manufactured locally that bear the Philippine Standard (PS) mark for guaranteed safety and quality.
To check certified fireworks, the public should check the following information printed on the package of each firework: name of firework, classification and intended use, brand or trade name, name and address of the manufacturer, the words “Made in the Philippines”, warnings and precautionary signs, appropriate instructions for use, effects, and PS Quality Mark with license number. (JCR/AMB/EMSA/PIA Pangasinan)
