BACOLOD City acting Mayor El Cid Familiaran ordered the Task Force Paputok to coordinate with the different offices or agencies concerned and the interested business for the sale, wholesale and retail of firecrackers and pyrotechnics that will be displayed behind the Pope John Paul Tower, Reclamation Area in the city.
Familiaran issued Memorandum No. 160 dated November 11 directing executive assistant Ernesto Pineda, chief coordinator of Market Coordinating and Monitoring Task Force, to coordinate with the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) and Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) to ensure the proper implementation and regulation of security and safety of the area.
Pineda was directed to coordinate with the Bacolod Traffic Authority Office (BTAO) in carrying out traffic plans into effect. Likewise, with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to ascertain the standard quality of the product and correct labeling as well.
Pineda was also tasked to coordinate with the Permits and Licensing Division and City Treasurer’s Office that all corresponding permits and licenses are duly applied with and paid for.
The Department of Public Services and City Legal Office were also tasked to maintain the cleanliness, orderly and collection of trash during and after the said activity.
Pineda said on Monday, he already met with the various agencies and discussed all their concerns to regulate the selling of firecrackers in the city.
He said that based on Executive Order No. 28, Series of 2017 provides that in order to minimize the risk and injuries and casualties, the use of firecrackers shall henceforth be confined to community fireworks displays, and such display is conducted under supervision of a trained person dully licensed by the Philippine National Police (PNP).
“I was tasked to see to it that all the village chiefs have their prescribed and designated areas for use of firecrackers and firework zone,” he added.
Pineda noted that this week, they will hold a meeting again to finalize their plans to regulate all the firecracker vendors.
Pineda pointed out that all firecracker vendors are only allowed to display their items at the firecracker zone at the back of Pope John Paul Tower.
“Those who will sell outside the firecracker zone will be arrested by our police and their items will be confiscated,” Pineda said.
He said as of Wednesday, more than 60 firecracker vendors already started to process their permits.
President Rodrigo Duterte earlier issued Memorandum Order No. 31 directing the PNP and other concerned agencies to strictly implement existing laws, rules and regulations on the sale, manufacture, distribution, and use of firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices.
Pineda said it is the policy of the PNP and the local government unit that only those who underwent fireworks safety seminar can sell firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices.
He said the fireworks safety seminar was conducted every two years which was led by the Philippine Pyrotechnics Manufacturers and Dealers Association and the PNP. (MAP)