DOLE stresses: Pyro, firecracker firms must comply with standards

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) - 7 can recommend lifting the stoppage order over the manufacture of pyrotechnics and firecrackers in Central Visayas if manufacturers here can comply with labor, safety standards.

"We can only recommend lifting of the stoppage order of the Secretary the moment we find out that these establishments are compliant to labor laws," said DOLE - 7 Director Exequiel Sarcauga yesterday.

Sarcauga said manufacturers will have to comply with Occupational Safety and Health standards and General Labor Standards.

DOLE's Labor Laws Compliance Officers will assess the establishments' compliance.

Should DOLE-7 recommend the lifting, however, the same would only cover manufacturers in Central Visayas.

No less than labor secretary Silvestre Bello III issued the nationwide stoppage order following the death of two people in Bocaue Bulacan on October 21, 2016 when an explosion occurred at a group of firework shops in Barangay Binang 1st.  Twenty four others were injured in the incident. Two days later, three more were killed and six were injured at another explosion at a firecracker manufacturing company in Barangay Pulong Buhangin, Sta. Maria, Bulacan.

"As of the moment, all production and sale of pyrotechnics and firecrackers will be stopped. However, we meet the stakeholders concerned and discuss with them the importance of health and safety in the workplace," Sarcauga said.

Yesterday, personnel of DOLE - 7 met with manufacturers and distributors of pyrotechnics and firecrackers based in Barangay Babag, Lapu-Lapu City.

"As we all know, Barangay Babag produces the bulk of the firecrackers in Cebu. The main source of income of the residents in the area is intertwined with the firecracker industry that various puroks are named after different types of firecrackers such as: Judas Belt, Kwitis, and Bombshell, among others," Sarcauga said.

Since firecrackers are made by hand, the job is accompanied by hazards.

"We don't want the accidents that happened in Bulacan to also happen in the region," he said.

Sarcauga said DOLE-7 will coordinate with the Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection, and the Local Government Units to help the manufacturers comply with the legal requirements.

Elsie Romarate of the Cebu City Firecrackers Association admitted the requirements are tough.

"Tuyo gyud mi nitambong sa maong tigum aron masayran ang maong bag-ong kamanduan, apan dugang palas-onon naman hinoon ang mga bag-ong rekisitos nga maghatag ug SSS lakip Philhealth sa among mga trabahante tungod kay dugang galastohon man kini ug makapalangay pa usab kini namo sa proseso," she said.

"Kung mao man gyud ila patakaran, wala gyud problema namo pero mas maayo dugay pa siya gihatag tungod kay maglisod naman me ana ug lisod pa gyud ang pagkuha sa maong mga dokumento ug seasonal ra usab amo negosyo," she added.

Efipania Augosto, barangay captain of Babag 2, said "Kuwarenta ka porsyento sa akong mga konstituwente ang apektado sa stoppage order tungod kay mao man kini ang ilang panginabuhian ug panahon pa gayud sa season nahitabo ang pagpahunong diin ang uban sa mga mamuhatay ug pabuto ang nangutang na ug mga puhunan alang sa ilang negosyo."

She added, "Pabor kaayo me sa kaluwasan para sa mga magpapatigayon pero mas maayo usab nga mapadali aron makapadayon na sila sa ilang mga panginabuhian." (FREEMAN)