BACOLOD City Executive Assistant Ernie Pineda, cluster head on markets, said Friday they are waiting for the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act No. 7183 to educate firecrackers and pyrotechnics dealers in the city for the coming Yuletide season.
Republic Act No. 7183 regulates the sale, manufacture, distribution and use of firecrackers and other pyrotechnics devices.
Pineda said the Philippine Pyrotechnics Manufacturers and Dealers Association (PPMDAI) and Philippine National Police (PNP) Friday, September 8, held a fireworks safety seminar at Planta Centro Bacolod Hotel and Residences after President Rodrigo Duterte issued Executive Order No. 28, providing for the regulation and control of the use of firecrackers and other pyrotechnics devices.
The seminar was attended by firecrackers and pyrotechnics dealers in Bacolod.
The Bacolod City Pyrotechnics Vendors and Association has 77 members.
Executive Order No. 28 states that local chief executives are authorized to promulgate the necessary rules and regulations on firecrackers and other pyrotechnics devices within their territorial jurisdiction in conformity with the national standards, rules, and regulations.
As there continues to be a substantial number of firecracker-related injuries, even casualties, recorded every year, some involving mere bystanders, the promulgation or stricter national standards, rules and regulations is warranted, the EO further stated.
Section 1 stated that to minimize the risk of injuries and casualties, the use of firecrackers shall henceforth be confined to community fireworks displays.
Pineda said the manufacturers and pyrotechnics dealers are required to attend the seminar so that they could dispose their products during the holiday season.
After the fireworks safety seminar, Pineda said the firecracker dealers can start processing their business permit.
He said the City Government will form a task force with the Bacolod City Police Office to monitor the firecracker dealers.
Pineda will hold a meeting on Sunday with the manufacturers and pyrotechnics dealers along with the police.
“We should to determine where they could display and use the firecrackers,” Pineda said.
Last year, Mayor Evelio Leonardia approved the designation of an area behind the Pope John Paul II Tower at the Reclamation Area as a firecracker zone for retailers.