PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has directed the Philippine National Police (PNP) and other concerned agencies to ensure the strict implementation of existing laws, rules and regulations on the sale, manufacture, distribution and use of firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices.
Under Memorandum 31, Duterte said the PNP, as the primary responsible for the enforcement of Republic Act 7183, should conduct inspections to ensure that manufacturers, distributors, retailers and users of firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices are in compliance with the safety guidelines cited under existing laws, rules and regulations.
Republic Act 7183 contains illustrative lists of allowable firecrackers and pyrotechnics. The law also provides for the regulation and control of the manufacture, sale, distribution and use of firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices, to ensure public safety, order and national security.
Similarly, Executive Order 28 signed by Duterte on June 20, 2017 ordered the regulation and control of the use of firecrackers and pyrotechnics.
Memorandum 31 tasked the PNP to confiscate and destroy prohibited firecrackers and pyrotechnics provided by law, rules and regulations, as well as firecrackers used outside community fireworks display.
The PNP, in coordination with other concerned agencies and local government units, was also mandated to cancel or revoke the licenses and permits, and confiscate the inventory of the violators.
The PNP was also ordered to strictly enforce the prohibition on the sale of firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices to anyone below 18 years old.
The memorandum also sought the suspension of the processing of new licenses and permits for the manufacture, sale and distribution of firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices, pending review of existing licensees' and permittees' compliance with laws, rules and regulations.
The suspension should remain in effect, until declared lifted by Duterte's office, upon the recommendation of the PNP chief and his submission of a report on the review undertaken on existing licenses and permits. (SunStar Philippines)