PRO-7 orders heightened measures on firecrackers

CEBU, Philippines - The Police Regional Office-7 has issued a memorandum ordering police units in Central Visayas to reinforce security measures on the sale of firecrackers.

Senior Police Officer 2 Glen Facturan of PRO-7 Firearms and Explosives Office said they had already issued 125 retailers’ permit to different firecracker vendors in the region.

Nine of these firecracker vendors are from Negros Oriental, four from Siquijor, 30 from Bohol, 60 from Cebu Province, and 92 from Lapu-Lapu City.

Facturan said the Department of Interior Local Government also released a memorandum prohibiting malls from selling firecrackers.

He, however, said mall managements can have these items inside their establishment only for media presentation but not for actual selling.

“To the consumers, adto lang gyud sila mopalit sa authorized retailers’ area. Aduna man gi-designate ang Local Government Units ana,” said Facturan.

He said firecracker retailers are only allowed to display firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices with a total weight of 25 kilograms or worth not more than P15,000.

“Regulate lang pud ang quantity of explosives nga i-display. Kung molapaw sila, dakpon sila. Anyway og mahalinan na sila, puwede man pud nila pun-an,” he said.

Facturan also said those who plan to hold fireworks display should need approval from the Camp Crame, have fireworks technician and should coordinate with the nearest fire station in their barangay.

Facturan though said that not all fireworks need permit.

“Naa’y category nga 1, 2 ug 3. Kung gamay ra kaayo, wala’y permit. Kanang gamay nga box sa legal retailers, pwede ra gihapon og wala. But if kato’ng dagko na kaayo og tube, kinahanglan na gyud na siya og permit,” said Facturan.

“Any violation from the permit, these (items) will really be confiscated,” Facturan added. — (FREEMAN)