Bacolod firecracker vendors’ safety compliance ensured

THE City Government of Bacolod deployed a composite team that will ensure the compliance of firecracker vendors with fire safety measures.

Executive Assistant Ernesto Pineda, team leader, led on Tuesday the inspection of the firecrackers zone situated behind the Pope John Paul II Tower at the Reclamation Area.

Firecracker vendors have to comply with the requirements to secure business permits for selling firecrackers, Pineda said.

He added that they inspected the construction of booths to ensure that these comply with fire safety measures.

They checked the construction materials used along with the required distance between booths of at least 3 feet.

Vendors selling outside the identified firecrackers zone will be penalized, and their products will be confiscated.

During the inspection, Pineda was joined by lawyer Reuben Sabig of the City Legal Office, Superintendent Noel Polines of the Bacolod City Police Office, Superintendent Rodolfo Denaga of Bureau of Fire Protection, Jose Carreon of the Department of Labor and Employment, and Allan Pacheco, president of Bacolod Firecrackers Vendor and Traders Association.

The composite team will conduct a general orientation and training workshop for all firecracker vendors today at the Old City Hall.

Last week, more than 70 sellers/vendors have submitted their applications for business permits.

Each seller/vendor will pay P1,200 for business tax and P200 for garbage collection.

In Memorandum No. 202, Mayor Evelio Leonardia has designated the area behind the Pope John Paul II Tower as a special place for the display and sale of firecrackers and pyrotechnics.

He also directed Pineda to coordinate with different offices concerned and interested businesses for the sale, wholesale, and retail of firecrackers and pyrotechnics. (With reports from PNA)