Cops temporarily close 18 stalls
Eighteen pyrotechnic and firecracker retailers were temporarily closed yesterday for selling unregulated products without proper markings that will risk public safety.
Police Regional Office (PRO)-7 Director Jose Mario Espino led the inspection of firecracker stalls located at the South Road Properties yesterday noon.
The police found out that 18 of the 30 who applied for a permit had products which lacked the Philippine Standard and Import Community Clearance (PS-ICC) markings, which could mean that it did not pass the quality tests and may lead to unnecessary accidents.
He said that manufacturers mark should also be indicated in the packaging so as to ensure that they will be held accountable as well.
"It's illegal pyrotechnics, kailangan malaman ang manufacturer para in case of an incident may hahabulin tayo, and for the public to be made aware na yung product na bibilhin ay may manufacturer's label," Espino said.
Espino, however, said that while pyrotechnics, fireworks, and even though firecrackers are not banned, they cannot be lit just anywhere.
“Together with the local government units (LGUs), we will watch out for stalls selling unlicensed fireworks and shut them down until they are able to comply. These stalls must also have an inventory list with them. We make it our objective to have a merry Christmas with zero firecracker-related incidents,” Espino said.
“One of the main reasons why we wanted to convene with you apart from complying with the requirements (of the city), the PNP and fire department, is to make it clear on what is allowed and what isn't for fireworks,” said Brian Lim, president of PyroWorks.
He said pyrotechnic devices are fireworks with colored lights, flames, sparks as primary effect and sound while firecrackers are considered low explosive devices usually wrapped in paper or cardboard containing a volatile compound often lit with a fuse primarily designed to produce a loud “bang.”
Police Superintendent Allan Servida, chief of the Regional Civil Security Unit (RCSU) formerly known as Firearms Explosive Security and Guards Supervisory Section (FESSAGS), urged the public to be careful in buying products which lacked proper markings.
Before buying a firecracker, it would be better to inspect the package with the PS and ICC marks, including the instructions on proper handling, he said.
"I-scrutinize niyo yung firecrackers, kasi we do not know what will happen. All imported fireworks no go pag hindi nag be-bear ng PS markings, and tingnan din ang size if it's too big delikado yun," Servida said.
The police confiscated the firecrackers sold without proper markings.
Espino reminded the public to only use firecrackers in the designated firecracker zone allocated by the local barangay officials as stipulated in Executive Order 28 that President Rodrigo Duterte signed last June.
Section 1 stipulates that to minimize the risks of injuries, the use of firecrackers should be confined to community fireworks display.
"We are targeting zero incident, and we could do that through proactive measures by not allowing yung mga prohibited fireworks," Espino said.
In the EO, “community fireworks display” refers to the use of firecrackers within their jurisdiction provided that it is "conducted under the supervision of a trained person duly licensed by the PNP.
“When barangay captains are going to identify “community fireworks display” zones, they have to make sure that the area is fire hazardfree and should be away from power lines as well. There are other ways and means in making merry without the use of firecrackers such as the blowing of the torotot. We always have to prioritize safety among the residents,” said Cebu City Councilor Dave Tumulak.
Police Superintendent Deputy Regional Director for Operations (DRDO) Dennis Augustin enumerated some types of firecrackers that are completely banned to be lit such as the dancing firecracker, mother rockets, big Judas belt, Goodbye Philippines, among others.
However, firecrackers such as baby rocket, paper cups, El Diablo, skyrockets, fountain, whistlebomb and sparklers are permitted given that they are only lit up in their designated areas.
In Talisay City, the police warned the public that they will apprehend anyone that will be caught selling firecrackers in the city.
This is because city officials have yet to announce if there would be a designated area for trading of firecrackers.
City Fire Marshal Chief Insp. JoelAbarquez confirmed that no one applied to sell firecrackers, aside from the two franchisers who applied to sell pyrotechnics inside a mall.
Last year, the city prohibited selling firecrackers by not providing a designated firecracker zone.
"Tungod kay wala'y designated area magkatag-katag sila. Inig roving namo naa gyud mi mabadlong pero hinuon ginagmay lang nga nga pabuto," he said.