Bulacan police told to go after banned firecrackers

BOCAUE, Bulacan – Governor Wilhelmino M. Sy- Alvarado on Wednesday ordered the police to be on the lookout and go after banned illegal firecrackers, particularly ‘Piccolo’ in firecracker retail stores in Bulacan.

"Christmas is love, joy, caring, giving and sharing, the most awaited celebration of the year and wonderful feeling for children, let us not spoil this by foreign - manufactured pyrotechnics, particularly Piccolo that caused injuries to children," Sy-Alvarado pointed out.

Alvarado also reminded parents

and guardians to keep an eye on their children who are the usual victims of Piccolo and other firecrackers.

He said that Piccolo is not manufactured in the Philippines and is banned by the national government.

Sy - Alvarado, citing a Department of Health report, said that Piccolo causes more than half of firecracker and pyrotechnics-related injuries to children each year.

Most of the injuries are being caused by smuggled imported fireworks, which is also adversely affecting the livelihood and income of local manufacturers and dealers in the Philippines.

“Huwag po nating pagbibintangan ang gawang Bulacan dahil maayos po ang mga gawa dito. Pinanatili po nila ang magandang kalidad ng kanilang mga produkto, dahil kapag sila ay nasira, mawawalan ng hanapbuhay ang mahigit 40,000 pamilya na umaasa dito," Alvarado said.

He is likewise urging Bulakenyos to welcome 2019 in a safe manner.

He stressed that firecrackers and fireworks must only be ignited in designated areas.

Philippine Pyrotechnics Manufactures and Dealers Association Inc. (PPMDAI) chairman emeritus Engineer Celso C. Cruz said that his group is constantly reminding consumers to buy only the safe and branded firecrackers.

PPMDAI manufacturers and dealers will only sell fireworks that have passed quality standards and bear the DTI-approved seal or stickers.