BOCAUE, Bulacan – It’s back to normal operations for at least 48 fireworks manufacturers and dealers in this town and other parts of Bulacan after the Department of Labor and Employment lifted its work stoppage order Thursday on several stakeholders of the local fireworks industry.
The Philippine Pyrotechnics Manufacturers and Dealers Association, Inc. (PPMDAI) said that local manufacturers and dealers have complied with the requirements of the labor department.
However, the long shutdown has affected stakeholders they should have been selling since the last week of November.
Local dealers also expressed apprehensions that the prices of fireworks would skyrocket because of supply and demand.
“It was stopped when the production was at its peak due to the high demand for the coming Yuletide season,” said Engr Celso C. Cruz, chairman emeritus of PPMDAI.
Some local manufacturers also aired apprehensions that smuggled firecrackers could flood the local markets.
November 24, DOLE issued a work stoppage order to all establishments engaged in the manufacture and sale of pyrotechnics and firecrackers nationwide.
The order signed by Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III states that “Pursuant to Rule 1012.02 of the Occupational Safety and Health Standards in relation to Article 168 of the Labor Code, as amended and renumbered, and Rule VIII of Department Order No. 131-B, Series of 2016, this Work Stoppage Order is hereby issued for all establishments engaged in the manufacture and sale of pyrotechnics and firecrackers.”
The order was issued after two persons were killed and 24 others were injured when an explosion occurred in a fireworks shop in Brgy Biñang 1st, Bocaue last October 12. Another blast occured at the AA Fireworks Bragy Pulong Buhangin, Sta. Maria where 3 persons were killed and six others were injured last November 23.
“In view of the aforementioned accidents and with the projected increase in production during the holidays, this Department is inclined to declare the existence of grave and imminent danger to the health and safety of workers in workplaces involved in the production of pyrotechnics and firecrackers,” the order said.
Bello directed the DOLE regional director, the Occupational Safety and Health Center and the Bureau of Working Conditions to assess compliance with the occupational safety and health standards and general labor standards of the establishments.
Last week, Governor Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado called a meeting between stakeholders of the industry, the DOLE Regional Office led by Atty. Ana Dione, the Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection and other concerned agencies to come up with proposal that aims to make the production, sale and use of fireworks safe.
Alvarado said that the safety and welfare of the people is of utmost importance but the livelihood of families dependent on the industry should also be given due consideration, and that they should convince the President and Congress that the production of quality fireworks and pyrotechnics devices is safe.
He also instructed the Bulacan Police to intensify their crackdown against clandestine shops engaged in oversized and killer types of firecrackers. (PNA) LAP/ZST/EGGAMOS