SRP’s firecracker stalls to be constructed soon

CEBU, Philippines — Less than 20 days before Christmas, vendors of firecrackers at the South Road Properties (SRP) in Cebu City have not yet started because of their failure to secure necessary requirements.

City Councilor David Tumulak, chairman of the City Council’s committee on public order, said at least 20 stalls will soon be established at the SRP anytime this month until December 31 for the vending of firecrackers at the designated zone.

“Unless maka-secure na sa necessary permits from BFP, PNP, ug permit sa city government, dili sila maka-start pamaligya para paghatag og assurance sa mopalit og firecrackers nga safe ang product nga ilang gipalit,” he told reporters.

Tumulak said the vendors already expressed their eagerness to start their business at the SRP but they have not yet complied with the necessary permits from the Department of Trade and Industry, Bureau of Fire Protection, and Philippine National Police.

He said they should also secure permits from the city government.

On June 20, 2017, President Rodrigo Duterte signed Executive Order 28 confining the use of pyrotechnics to community fireworks displays and it should be outside residential areas.

Tumulak said the strict regulation is in compliance with the order of the president.  The city government already regulates the distribution, production, and selling of pyrotechnics under the City Ordinance 2290 which also designates SRP as the firecracker zone.

“Ang instruction sa PNP is dili nila i-allow ang paninda og firecrackers especially sa interior portion for the safety sa atong mga tao. Katong nag-plano man gali og pamaligya, comply lang gyud og requirements sa BFP ug PNP,” Tumulak said.

The location for the selling of firecrackers and pyrotechnics in Cebu City is on the city’s three-hectare property at the SRP which is the boundary of the city and the Talisay City.

As of now, Tumulak said he was told by the vendors that they are still complying with the necessary requirements.

Anytime this month, he said the city government with the cooperation of other stakeholders and agencies is ready to put up safety measures at the SRP where the selling of firecrackers will take place.

Tumulak said these vendors should process the requirements as fast as they should as they have only up to December 31 to vend. (FREEMAN)