BOCAUE, Bulacan – While agreeing on the good intention of Pres. Rodrigo Duterte’s signing of Executive Order 28 — limiting the use of firecrackers to community fireworks display — the Philippine Pyrotechnics Manufacturers and Dealers Association Inc., (PPMDAI) — is appealing to the Chief Executive to consider their proposals aimed at uplifting the local fireworks industry through science and technology.
“The pyrotechnic industry is more on science and technology and through science, injuries can be avoided. Confining it to a designated zone is not a long term solution because lighting of fireworks is a centuries-old tradition of Filipinos,” Celso C. Cruz, chairman emeritus of PPMDAI, said.
The EO stated that because of the firecracker related injuries and deaths, “the promulgation of stricter national standards, rules and regulations is warranted.”
It was signed by Duterte on June 20, 2017.
The PPMDAI, however, said they are hoping that the Chief Executive will review the EO which the group says is provided under Republic Act 7183 which states that the “industry should be uplifted to enhance cultural heritage and tradition.”
“We understand the good intention of our President. However, there are things that should be considered. The lightning of firecrackers is part of the traditions which cannot stop immediately,” Cruz said.
He said that even before President Duterte assumed presidency, previous administrations has already banned the deadly “picolo,” the major culprit in the number of firecracker related injuries.”
“Picolo has long been banned but until now it is still the cause of firecracker injuries,” Cruz said.
He said that the government, through the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), is helping the PPMDAI and the local fireworks industry to be safer and at par with global standards.
“The PNP, which is the administrator of RA 7183, has already came up with its Implementing Rules and Regulation (IRR). In coordination with the PNP-Civil Security Group, the PPMDAI is regularly conducting safety training seminars on the manufacture and sale of fireworks and pyrotechnics. No safety seminar, no permit. And the PNP is very strict on this. The DOST, on the other hand, is willing to fund the uplifting of local fireworks by making it at par with international standards by producing safe and quality products,” Cruz said.
Likewise, he said that the PNP and the PPMDAI has long been working as partners to make the local fireworks industry safe and its workers as professionals.
“The DOST is also willing to make the industry more globally competitive,” he added.
Cruz, a chemical engineer, said the government should have experts on the pyrotechnics industry.
He said that there must be a government body that should have experts and properly trained staff who fully well know the industry and how to make it safer and globally competitive.
A PPMDAI official also told local newsmen that even during the time when it was still outlawed and even at the time of the martial law period of then President Marcos, the local fireworks industry still managed to survive. (Emil G. Gamos/PNA)