To ban or not to ban firecrackers

While Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos urged local government units to pass ordinances that will ban firecracker use and individual fireworks displays in their localities, a group of manufacturers is urging the Marcos administration to formulate tougher regulations instead of an outright prohibition. 

"Ako ay nananawagan na sana ay magkaroon ng lokal na ordinansa [banning fireworks display in communities]. Anyway kaya namang i-celebrate ang Bagong Taon nang maayos [kahit walang paputok], (I am calling for the banning of firecrackers and individual fireworks to celebrate New Year in our communities)," Abalos said.

His call came during the Lab 4 All: Christmas for All gift-giving activity at the Jose Fabella Center in Mandaluyong City. 

Abalos instead pushed for supervised fireworks displays in common spaces like municipal town halls and other designated areas. 

He added that the said measure can help decrease fireworks-related accidents and untoward incidents during the holiday season. 

However, Philippine Fireworks Association president Joven Ong, in a radio interview, said tougher regulation is what is needed instead of an outright ban.

"A ban on fireworks is not needed but a tougher regulation. What is happening is that it lacks regulation. We have been asking that for many years to tighten the guidelines," Ong said.

Marikina incident

On Sunday, a truck loaded with fireworks and textiles, exploded, burning an adjacent bus at the BFCT Terminal in Barangay Calumpang, Marikina City, killing two people and injuring at least five, based on the report of the Bureau of Fire Protection-National Capital Region.

Ong said the incident that happened in Marikina was a result of improper management.

He also questioned why some erring manufacturers still manage to acquire potassium chlorate chemicals used to produce firecrackers or pyrotechnics, even though these products are strictly regulated by the Philippine National Police.

"For 31 years, we have been seeking help from the government. If I were the regulator, we could have solved that problem," Ong said.

Moreover, he said potassium chlorate is no longer used globally in producing fireworks.

It can be recalled that in 2017, former President Rodrigo Duterte signed Executive Order 28, banning fireworks in households or places of residence nationwide, stressing only community fireworks displays supervised by licensed individuals are allowed.  

Abalos  urged LGUs to replicate the same measure which is still being implemented by other local governments such as Davao City and Quezon City.

The objective of the ban is to minimize firecracker-related injuries in the coming New Year's Eve celebration. 

During this year's New Year revelries, the Department of Health  tallied 211 injuries related to fireworks, which were 30 percent lower than the five-year average of 300.