Bacolod village chiefs told to identify fireworks area

CHIEFS of all 61 villages in Bacolod City have been required to identify the fireworks display areas within their areas of jurisdiction for the holiday season.

Executive assistant Ernie Pineda, head of market coordinating and monitoring task force, said yesterday the City Government along with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO), and Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) will hold a meeting with the village officials at the lobby of Bacolod Government Center Thursday.

He said the BFP and the Philippine National Police will explain 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.

President Rodrigo Duterte had earlier issued Executive Order No. 28, providing for the regulation and control of the use of firecrackers and other pyrotechnics devices.

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 village chiefs and their councils should pass a resolution designating the fireworks display area.

He said the DILG will issue an advisory to the village officials asking them to submit the identified fireworks display area.

“It is the responsibility of the village officials to identify the designated fireworks display area to ensure the safety of their constituents during Christmas and New Year’s Eve celebrations,” Pineda added.

Pineda said of the 76 firecracker vendors in Bacolod, 52 have already secured permits Wednesday from the City Government and they are allowed to construct their stalls at the firecrackers zone behind the Pope John Paul II Tower at the Reclamation Area.

The firecracker vendors paid P1,500 for business tax to the City Treasurer’s Office.

Pineda said only those who underwent fireworks safety seminar will be allowed to display their products.

“Before they can display their products, they should comply with all the requirements,” he said.

Pineda added that the monitoring team along with the BFP and BCPO will confiscate illegal firecrackers and pyrotechnics.

The firecracker vendors are also required to attend the fire drill, he said.

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