Lawmakers urged to include EO 28 in new firecracker law

MALOLOS, Bulacan, Philippines – Lawmakers should take into consideration the executive order (EO) signed by President Duterte limiting the use of firecrackers.

Celso Cruz, chairman emeritus of the Philippine Pyrotechnics Manufacturers and Dealers Association Inc. and vice chairman of the Pyrotechnic Regulatory Board (PRB) of Bulacan, said there are several bills seeking to amend Republic Act 7183 or the Firecracker Law and EO 28 should be added to the proposals.

EO 28 confines the use of firecracker and pyrotechnic products to community fireworks display areas.

Duterte signed the EO because of the increasing firecracker-related deaths and injuries that led to calls for stricter national standards, rules and regulations governing the sale and use of firecrackers.

Duterte has tasked the Philippine National Police (PNP) and other concerned government agencies to come up with implementing rules and regulations (IRR) for the EO within 30 days.

Cruz said stakeholders are also working on methods to make firecrackers safer to use.

Cruz said they are coordinating with the Department of Science and Technology to come out with safer firecracker and pyrotechnic products that can meet world standards to minimize accidents and injuries.

Fireworks dealers also urged the government to control or prevent the importation of pyrotechnics that are relabeled with local brands.

They cited piccolo, an imported and smuggled product that is specifically prohibited under the Firecracker Law and yet it is identified as the number one cause of fireworks-related injuries.

They said EO 28 could put a stop to the importation or smuggling of piccolo.

Fireworks manufacturers and dealers said their sales have suffered due to the importation and smuggling of foreign firecrackers.

There are now only a few locally produced fireworks being patronized, and the best sellers are five star, sawa and kwitis.

But they lamented that their products are now included in the banned list under EO 28.

On the other hand, the Department of Health (DOH) is optimistic that there will be fewer firecracker-related injuries with the implementation of EO 28.

“When we first pushed for the idea of an EO being signed last year, the cases of firecracker-related injuries already went down. What more now that it is signed,” Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial said.

She said the DOH has long been pushing for the implementation of a policy prohibiting the use of firecrackers and pyrotechnics during the New Year celebration.

From Dec. 21, 2016 to Jan. 5, 2017, the DOH recorded a total of 630 firecracker-related injuries. The figure was 292 cases or 32 percent lower than the total cases reported during the same period the previous year.

Ubial said the issuance of EO 28 is necessary to protect the health of the people nationwide.

Ubial said the DOH has started drafting the IRR.

“We can come out within 30 to 60 days because we are prepared for this,” Ubial said. – With Mayen Jaymalin, Marvin Sy