OVER P30,000 worth of banned firecrackers were seized at the firecracker zone behind the Pope John Paul II Tower at the Reclamation Area in Bacolod City on Monday, December 23, 2019.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Ariel Pico, Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) spokesperson, said on Thursday, December 26, the assorted illegal firecrackers were confiscated from 20 vendors at the firecracker zone.
Pico said the illegal firecrackers were seized during the inspection led by Task Force Paputok, along with the Bureau of Fire Protection, city officials and Regional Civil Security Unit (RCSU) in Western Visayas.
He said of the 68 vendors, 20 failed to present a proof of purchase from the authorized dealers of firecrackers and were reprimanded. Police recovered boxes of Chinese katay, Sparklers and Fountain, among others.
“They should display products with a seal from the manufacturer and RCSU,” the police official said.
Pico added the Philippine National Police (PNP) also provided the list of the fireworks and pyrotechnics devices considered legal and allowed to be sold by retailers. These are Baby rocket, Judas’ belt, El Diablo, Paper caps, Pulling of strings, Sky rocket (kwitis), small triangulo, Butterfly, Fountain, Jumbo, regular and special luces, Mabuhay, Roman Candle, Sparklers, Trompillo and Whistle device.
Based on Republic Act No. 7183, or an Act Regulating the Sale, Manufacture, and Use of Firecrackers and Other Pyrotechnic Devices, prohibited fireworks include Super Lolo, Goodbye Earth, Five Star, Whistle bomb, Atomic triangle, Piccolo, Watusi, Bogo, and pla-pla.
Pico said Task Force Paputok will conduct inspection until December 31 to ensure that vendors are selling firecrackers and pyrotechnics devices considered legal and allowed to be sold.