Despite the government crackdown on erring cops, manufacturers of firecrackers reportedly shell out bribe money to Bulacan police to protect their businesses, a kwitis (skyrocket) maker in a Bulacan town said.

In an exclusive interview yesterday, Manong Roy, whose true name is withheld, alleged that corrupt personnel of the Bulacan Police Provincial Office demand P3,000 to P5,000 regularly from him during their visits to his manufacturing site.

"When they say papasyal kami (make a visit) you know that already. That's why I installed CCTV for my protection. Pareho na kaming maperwisyo. Even during the term of President Duterte, nangongolekta ang mga pulis dito buwan-buwan," he bared.

With an estimated 100 fireworks stores in the Bocaue area, Mang Roy estimates the take to reach as much as half a million pesos for every visit, with no sweat.

He is calling on Philippine National Police chief Rodolfo Azurin Jr. to investigate the matter, as their rights are being trampled by corrupt policemen in Bulacan, even though some manufacturers and sellers are earning fair and square.

"We have (Philippine Standard) marks. It means we are following the law. But why are these policemen still asking for bribes/protection money? Not only from us but especially from those manufacturers who are operating without permits and PS marks. Mas malaki hatag nila (The demand is higher)," he said.
Manong Roy said about 100 illegal fireworks manufacturers are shelling out bribe money, while those that have PS marks are still obliged to do so, which has been hurting his pocket for years now.

Grease money
Manong Roy revealed that the Bulacan PPO is also "involved" in transactions to purchase chemicals illegally, as legal manufacturers should secure permits from Camp Crame's Explosives Division to purchase the chemicals.

"Pertinent fireworks manufacturers are securing Permit to Purchase and Move Controlled Chemicals to the Bureau of Customs and Camp Crame. But how can unlicensed manufacturers be able to secure those chemicals? Read between the lines, alam na natin yun (we already know that)," he said.

Legal manufacturers, he added, are having a hard time competing with colorum manufacturers as they can afford to drop their prices.

DTI PS Mark
Although it takes more than a year to secure the PS Mark per product kind, plus the more than P100,000 cash for its fees, he said he is thankful to the DTI for being strict in imposing the said quality certification.

The PS Quality and/or Safety Mark, along with Import Commodity Clearance or ICC Sticker serve as the consumers' guide and assurance that what they purchase are certified quality and safety products conforming to the relevant Philippine National Standards.

DTI probe
Asked for her comment, DTI-Consumer Protection Group chief, Atty. Ruth Castelo said the P100,000 is for the preparation of their Quality Management Manual.

"This is a requirement for all local manufacturers. It is not paid to DTI. They pay this to whoever prepares their QMS. The fees are not that expensive, I think it is just P20,000 or less, but I'll double check," Castelo told the Daily Tribune.

Further, she said that they will start investigating illegal manufacturers operating in Sta. Maria town and neighboring municipalities.

Fireworks-related injuries
Meanwhile, the Department of Health on Wednesday reported seven additional cases of fireworks-related injuries bringing the total cases to 32, ahead of the New Year's Day celebration.

Based on a recent DoH report, the fireworks-related injuries were 39 percent higher compared to last year when the country only reported 23 cases.

It, however, said the figure is 22 percent lower than the five-year average of 41 cases during the same period.

Most of the fireworks-related injuries occurred in Western Visayas with seven cases, while Bicol Region and Caraga reported four cases each.

Of the 32 reported cases, 29 were male with ages ranging from one to 64 years old.

Sixteen of the total reported cases sustained burn injuries in the eye, with two requiring amputation.

The DoH said 69 percent of the fireworks-related injuries occurred at victims' residences while the remaining 31 percent happened on the streets.

Meanwhile, due to delays in shipments of components from China and other pyrotechnics and fireworks-importing nations, a whopping 300 percent price increase was recorded on fireworks being sold in Bocaue, Bulacan.

The price of the popular sawa being sold in one of the stores in popular Bocaue fireworks stores on Gov. F. Halili Avenue, Barangay Turo, Bocaue is sold for P4,000 from its previous P900 price tag.

While the 100 pieces skyrocket (kwitis) formerly sold from P350 to P750 are now being sold from P850 to P1,000.

Dragon aerial pyrotechnics, which burst in the air with multi-colors, are now sold at P2,500 from P350 in 2021.

According to Joven Ong, president of the Bulacan Pyrotechnic Board, the prices of these fireworks and firecrackers may still surge until 31 December.