FIRECRACKER makers in Barangay Babag, Lapu-Lapu City who are now busy for the coming holidays are affected by the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) order shutting down all firecracker companies in the country.
Babag Barangay Captain Epifania Augusto said she stopped the issuance of permits to display for firecrackers in her barangay after she heard the Dole order.
“Ang manglukatay og permit to display di usa molukat… Sayang man molukat sila unya di na pwede, makagasto lang sila (Those who are selling firecrackers had been advised not to secure a permit to display. It will be a waste of money if they do so),” Augusto said.
Every firecracker dealer will have to pay P215 to have a permit to display.
Augusto said the dealers will also have to get permits from City Hall.
Babag has been known in Lapu-Lapu City for the sale of firecrackers.
Augusto said that the order will have an impact on the firecracker industry in her barangay, which is a main source of livelihood of the residents.
But she said the effect would be minimal because residents in Babag still have the option to produce pyrotechnics.
“Naay effect pero di dako. Naa tay residents kahibawo og (There is a minimal effect. Our residents still know how to make) pyrotechnics,” Augusto said.
Exequiel Sarcauga, Dole 7 director, told Sun.Star Cebu that they received the order from Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III yesterday morning.
Sarcauga said that within the month, they will coordinate with the local government units (LGUs) in the region to identify pyrotechnic and firecracker manufacturers in their areas.
Operations
In Cebu, Barangay Babag in Lapu-Lapu City has been identified as a well-known area to buy firecrackers.
Sarcauga said that following the immediate work stoppage, Dole’s occupational safety and health center (OSHC) and bureau of working conditions (BWC) will assess the operations of manufacturers and sellers before allowing them to resume operations.
The assessment will determine if pyrotechnic manufacturers and sellers are following safety standards for their employees.
Aside from Dole, the assessment will done in coordination with the local police, the local fire department and LGUs.
Bello issued the work stoppage order yesterday to prevent incidents that might occur in unregulated establishments making firecrackings.
The work stoppage order is pursuant to the Occupational Safety and Health Standards of the Labor Code.
Bello issued the order following various firecracker-related incidents earlier this year.
A month ago, two persons died and 24 others were hurt in an explosion in a group of firework shops in Bocaue, Bulacan.
Earlier this week, three persons died and six others were hurt in an explosion in a firecracker manufacturing facilities in Sta. Maria, Bulacan.
Bello said he may lift the order for compliant establishments on recommendations from the regional director.