The Philippine National Police (PNP) is urging the establishment of centralized markets for the sale of firecrackers and pyrotechnics as part of heightened safety measures ahead of the New Year celebrations.

PNP Chief Police Lieutenant General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. has directed all police chiefs nationwide to coordinate closely with local government units (LGUs) to identify and designate areas where firecrackers may be legally sold.

The directive follows data from the Department of Health, which shows at least 28 firecracker-related injuries recorded from 21 to 25 December, a figure expected to rise as New Year’s Eve approaches.

According to Nartatez, concentrating the sale of firecrackers in designated, controlled locations will allow authorities to regulate vendors better, prevent the sale of illegal items, and reduce risks to the public.

“The main purpose of this is proper regulation and public safety. By designating a specific area in every town or city where people could buy firecrackers and pyrotechnic materials, we can easily monitor and prevent the selling of illegal firecrackers,” he said.

LGUs to name centralized spots

Under the plan, police chiefs will work with LGUs to identify safe locations for centralized markets and to set the appropriate period for firecracker sales.

These designated areas will have a visible police presence, supported by the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).

Fire trucks and emergency responders will also be placed on standby to respond immediately to any incidents.

Nartatez emphasized that the centralized setup will help curb the proliferation of illegal firecrackers, noting that authorities can more easily inspect both vendors and products.

“Centralized selling areas allow us to inspect vendors and products strictly. It will be easier to determine which firecrackers are legal and which are illegal.”

Once a firecracker zone is designated, any sale outside that area will be considered unauthorized,” he said, adding that selling firecrackers outside the approved zones will be prohibited.

The PNP chief also urged the public to cooperate with authorities, follow safety guidelines, and patronize only authorized vendors to help ensure a peaceful and injury-free New Year celebration.

Earlier, Nartatez reiterated his call for LGUs to immediately set up designated firecracker zones amid the increasing use of firecrackers during the holidays.