EDITORIAL - Better enforcement

As of yesterday, the number of people reported injured from firecracker-related incidents since Dec. 21 stood at 697, according to the Department of Health. The figure is lower than in the previous New Year’s celebrations. That’s still a lot of people injured, however, from dangerous merrymaking. The injuries could also worsen if tetanus, a potentially fatal affliction, develops.

Many of the injuries were from powerful firecrackers that are supposed to be banned. Before New Year’s Eve the Philippine National Police released a list of the banned firecrackers. As in the past years, however, all the banned items were openly sold, mostly by ambulant sidewalk vendors and in makeshift stalls.

The PNP now wants certain types of powerful firecrackers to be classified as explosives. Possession, manufacture and use of explosives are regulated and stiff penalties are imposed on violators. But there is an existing law, Republic Act 7183, regulating the fireworks industry and promoting its growth through improved product quality and better safety standards. With proper enforcement of RA 7183, there should be fewer injuries resulting from the handling of firecrackers.

The problem lies not in the law but in the enforcement. RA 7183 has a detailed list of firecrackers that can be legally produced, distributed, sold and used, complete with allowable packaging sizes and amount of gunpowder. The PNP chief is given the discretion to decide which firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices outside those listed as legitimate products under the law should be banned.

Some of the firecrackers that have emerged in recent years are produced in such eye-catchingly large packaging they cannot be missed by any law enforcer. One triangle-shaped firecracker, bigger than an adult human face, is often used as the top display in an array of merchandise, alongside kilometric coils of firecrackers strung together. Perhaps RA 7184 can use some legislative fine-tuning. More important, however, if we want a safer celebration of New Year 2014, is better law enforcement.