BACOLOD City Executive Assistant Ernie Pineda said yesterday Mayor Evelio Leonardia approved the designation of an area behind the Pope John Paul II Tower at the Reclamation Area as a “firecrackers zone” for retailers.
Pineda, head of market coordinating and monitoring task force, said those who are selling outside the firecrackers zone will be penalized and their products will be confiscated.
He said they will only allow the firecracker vendors who underwent fireworks safety seminar to display their products.
“Those who failed to attend the seminar will not be allowed to display their products in the designated area,” he added.
In October, the Philippine Pyrotechnics Manufacturers and Dealers Association (PPMDAI) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) held the firework safety seminar in Bacolod 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 Bacolod City Pyrotechnics Vendors and Association has 77 members.
Pineda said there is only one firecracker manufacturer in Bacolod City and others are in the municipality of Hinigaran.
“We will monitor the firecracker dealers and retailers selling in various areas,” he said.
Pineda said he is set to meet with the barangay officials to discuss the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act No. 7183 that regulates the sale, manufacture, distribution and use of firecrackers and other pyrotechnics device.
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 only the barangay officials will identify the designated fireworks display areas within their respective villages.
He said the City Government along with the Bacolod City Police Office and Bureau of Fire Protection will conduct inspections before and during the display firecrackers products at the firecracker zone.