The Provincial Government of Bulacan is pushing for the creation of a cooperative among small-scale pyrotechnics entrepreneurs to generate more jobs and provide support to small businesses, with assistance from the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Pyrotechnics Regulatory Board (PGB).

The proposal was raised by Daniel R. Fernando during a press briefing following an ocular inspection of the firecracker and pyrotechnics display area at Santiago Compound in Barangay Turo, Bocaue, Bulacan, on 22 December.

Fernando said the initiative aligns with the PGB’s goal of creating more jobs while supporting small businesses through sustained engagement with local entrepreneurs and the preparation of agreements that will help small vendors secure licenses and comply with government regulations.

“Ang maliliit na negosyante ang pinakaapektado ng regulasyon. Kaya sa pangunguna ng PGB-PCEDO, isinusulong natin ang pagbuo ng kooperatiba ng mga small players ng pyro industry,” Fernando said, noting that cooperatives can improve access to capital, government support, and safer, more organized production.

As Bulacan prepares for the 2025 year-end festivities and welcomes 2026, Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr., acting chief of the PNP, reaffirmed the police force’s commitment to inter-agency collaboration to prevent loss of life and property.

“Naniniwala ako na sa pakikipagtulungan ng PGB, PRB, PNP, at ng mga stakeholders, maiiwasan ang sakuna at magiging mas regulated ang selebrasyon ng bagong taon,” Nartatez Jr. said.

During the inspection, authorities also presented various illegal firecrackers to emphasize public safety, including Kabase, Bin Laden, Tuna, Kingkong, Kwiton Bomb, Atomic Bomb, Pla-pla, Piccolo, Dart Bomb, Coke in Can, Giant Atomic, Goodbye Philippines, Goodbye Chismosa, Carina, Ulysses, Yolanda, and Pepito.

Also present were Vice Governor Alexis C. Castro, Provincial Administrator Antonia V. Constantino, Provincial Cooperative and Enterprise Development Office head Jayric L. Amil, Bulacan Police Provincial Office Director Angel L. Garcillano, Police Regional Office 3 Director Ponce Rogelio I. Peñones Jr., Bocaue Vice Mayor Sherwin N. Tugna, Philippine Fireworks Association President Jovenson Ong, Pyrotechnics Regulatory Board representative Celso C. Cruz, and former PPMDAI president Marlene Lea Alapide.

The provincial government said the proposed cooperative aims to balance livelihood support with stricter regulation, ensuring safer celebrations while protecting small entrepreneurs in Bulacan’s pyrotechnics industry.