Duterte wants proper fireworks labeling

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte yesterday recommended the proper labeling of firecrackers to allow merrymakers to seek accountability in case of a malfunction that may cause injury or death during the revelry.

Nine days before the New Year, Duterte stressed the need for government enforcers to go after firecracker manufacturers who violate the standards in producing and distributing firecrackers.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque Jr. said the President will impose a nationwide firecracker ban next year or during Christmas, his last in office as president.

“I heard reactions the last time I announced that I was going to ban firecrackers,” he said.

Duterte noted how dangerous some firecrackers have been through the years, causing injuries to merrymakers.

“Along the way many, many years now, there were many Filipino children who lost a hand or limb or died due to the firecrackers,” he said.

“And yet we continue – this government or the previous government – continue to allow the public to use firecrackers despite knowing fully well that there will be casualties,” the President said.

“Every New Year we look forward to announcements on television about how many have suffered and died…from firecrackers,” he said.

Duterte said fireworks displays excite people and there is a need to ensure the safety of the public.

“It is such  beautiful sight. But we are one of the few countries that allow it with wild abandon,” he said.

To ensure quality of the fireworks, Duterte said manufacturers should label their products properly.

Duterte has been vocal about banning the use of firecrackers, saying it is his responsibility to ensure the safety of the people.

“If you come up with products that are either not properly done or overly beyond the safety, the normal level of safety for civilians, such as the brands lolo and goodbye Philippines, they are fatal and like small grenades,” he said.

“And in your package… You do not assume any responsibility at all. I have not seen anybody indicted by the government and jailed for inferior or wrongly-manufactured firecrackers. Until and unless we can come up with that, we cannot go after anybody,” Duterte said.

Firecracker ban sought in Metro Manila

A group of environmentalists expressed support for a resolution passed by the Regional Peace and Order Council-National Capital Region (RPOC-NCR) recommending the ban on firecrackers in 17 local government units (LGUs) in Metro Manila.

The measure was intended to reduce firecracker-related injuries and prevent mass gatherings amidst the pandemic.

“We laud the RPOC-NCR, led by Parañaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez, for recommending a Metro Manila-wide ban on firecrackers during the holidays, particularly during the New Year revelry, as this will benefit public health and the environment,” said Thony Dizon of  EcoWaste Coalition.

“We expect concerned LGUs to heed the council’s recommendation, adopt necessary policy measures and conduct effective public information and law enforcement activities to ensure zero use of dangerous and polluting firecrackers in their jurisdictions,” Dizon added.

In November, EcoWaste urged the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) to ban firecrackers and fireworks, citing climate and health emergencies affecting the Philippines and the rest of the world.

“Celebrating the New Year with firecrackers and fireworks encourages mass gatherings in the neighborhood or in a community, which will make physical distancing difficult to observe,” the group told the IATF.

In response, the Department of Health (DOH) advised the public to refrain from organizing and participating in any activity that promotes mass gathering of people like the conduct of community fireworks display to celebrate the New Year, to prevent the further spread of COVID-19. – Rhodina Villanueva