The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) acknowledged on Friday that uncertified firecrackers are being sold both on the streets and online. However, they assured that their personnel are intensifying inspections and monitoring of these products, particularly as the year-end approaches.

“While it’s true that some uncertified firecrackers slip through, we are taking a strong approach,” said Trade Secretary Cristina Roque during a media briefing in Makati. “The DTI-Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau (DTI-FTEB) has deployed additional personnel as more people are buying and selling firecrackers, especially online, in anticipation of the New Year celebration.”

The Philippine National Police collared three men in three different places for selling uncertified and prohibited firecrackers online, according to Lt. Wallen Arancillo, spokesperson of the PNP-Anti-Cybercrime Group on Thursday.

With this, Marlene Lea Alapide, vice president of the Pyrotechnics Regulatory Board, urged the DTI to have stricter regulations and help their ranks who legally sell certified firecrackers.

These people are having a hard time complying with the regulations, and yet, uncertified and illegal firecrackers are still being sold on the streets.

In response, Roque said, “The enforcement now is very strict against uncertified products and we make sure that all products pass through the standards. There is a whole government approach when it comes to apprehending uncertified products, including those from the local government units.”

Gino Mallari, director of DTI-FTEB, acknowledged that there is a slight overlap in the enforcement of firecracker laws between the DTI and the PNP.

“But we make sure that the coordination is constant with them, especially on the information and details where these uncertified products might be found. Essential to these firecrackers’ safety is the LGU partnership, so we have coordination with them also on where the firecrackers should be displayed, as well as the proper place where they should be sold,” Mallari said.

He also explained that the continued entry of these firecrackers into the country is due to illegal importation. He added that the DTI could impose penalties on sellers of uncertified firecrackers, issue cease and desist orders to manufacturers, and pursue criminal charges against violators.

Meanwhile, the PNP-ACG has partnered with the social media platform TikTok to combat cybercrime.

The two organizations met last Wednesday to discuss strategies for addressing cybercrime issues, particularly scams and online exploitation.

The partnership aims to streamline investigations and enhance the capabilities of ACG personnel in addressing cybercrimes on the platform. TikTok representatives also expressed concerns about scams related to its shopping feature.