Bello lifts work stoppage order in 18 more pyro, firecracker establishments

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO— Labor Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III yesterday lifted the Work Stoppage Order (WSO) in 18 more establishments engaged in manufacture and sale of pyrotechnics and firecrackers in Bulacan after they have been found compliant with general labor and occupational safety and health standards.

“After the conduct of assessment by DOLE Regional Office III (DOLE-3), the 18 establishments were found compliant with labor and OSH standards and other pertinent labor laws, rules, and regulations, thus bringing the total of compliant establishments to 66,” said Bello.

Bello said that on various dates, the DOLE3 conducted assessment of the 18 establishments engaged in manufacture and sale of pyrotechnics and firecrackers to ensure their compliance with general labor standards, occupational safety and health standards, and other pertinent labor laws, rules, and regulations.

Earlier, Bello lifted the WSO in 48 establishments engaged in manufacture and sale of pyrotechnics and firecrackers. The said establishments are part of the 88 establishments engaged in manufacture

and sale of pyrotechnics and firecrackers in Bulacan which were inspected by the DOLE-3.

Bello said that there are still 22 establishments whose WSOs have not yet been lifted and are undergoing assessments from the Regional Office.

The enforcement of the Work Stoppage Order is a joint effort of the DOLE, Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and the local government units.

The 18 establishments engaged in manufacture and sale of pyrotechnics and firecrackers whose work stoppage orders have been lifted were: Big-J Fireworks and Pyrotechnics; BJ D’Fire Crackers Trading; EB Eat Bulaga Fireworks; Evelyn Fireworks/ Evelyn Pyrotechnics; JBC Fireworks; Jelaizah Fireworks; Rich and Felis Fireworks; Unistar Fireworks; Racine Beatrice Fireworks; AFC Fireworks; Eunice Rose Fireworks; Gramce and Grace Fireworks; Jaguar Fireworks; Jesusa P. Cabatuando Fireworks and General Merchandise; JSS Fireworks; Justimax Merchandize; Musang Fireworks; and Nenel Fireworks.

The requirements needed to recommend the lifting of the work stoppage order are Certification from the Philippine National Police that the establishment/ local government unit is compliant with the requirements provided by Republic Act 7183 or An Act Regulating The Sale, Manufacture, Distribution And Use Of Firecrackers And Other Pyrotechnic Devices; valid fire safety certification from the Bureau of Fire; one day safety awareness training for all workers; and conduct of DOLE Joint Assessment.

Bello clarified the work stoppage order mainly mandated the stoppage of work of any unit, department or entire operation of an establishment when non-compliance with occupational safety and health standards poses imminent danger to the health and safety of the employees in the workplace.

On 24 November 2016, Labor Secretary Bello issued a Work Stoppage Order to all establishments engaged in the manufacture and sale of pyrotechnics and firecrackers nationwide, following the recent explosions in fireworks shops in Bulacan that killed five people and injured 30 others.