HINIGARAN -- Mayor Jose Nadie Arceo on Wednesday confirmed that the manufacture and sale of pyrotechnics and firecrackers in his municipality have resumed despite the work stoppage order (WSO) issued by the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole).
Dole-Negros Occidental had earlier warned manufacturers and retailers of that they might face corresponding sanctions, including closure of establishments, if they violate the order.
Arceo said the operations, mainly manufacturing, have continued in the past few days.
Stalls along the town’s highway were also set up, and some have even started displaying and selling their products, he added.
“I will take full responsibility for this,” the mayor told Sun.Star Bacolod, adding that “I am ready to face any liability, (and penalty) that the Dole may impose against me.”
Hinigaran is the major producer of firecrackers of Negros Occidental.
Five of its 24 barangays are engaged in this industry that has been the source of livelihood of hundreds of residents for a long time.
On November 24, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III issued the WSO, following the explosions in fireworks shops in Bulacan that resulted to deaths and injuries.
The order mandates the stoppage of work of any unit, department or entire operation of an establishment when non-compliance with occupational safety and health standards poses imminent danger to the health and safety of the employees in the workplace.
Cyril Ticao, officer-in-charge director of Dole-Negros Island Region, said they have not yet recommended the lifting of the WSO in the province, especially in Hinigaran.
Ticao, who also heads Dole-Negros Occidental, said none of the manufacturers and retailers in the municipality have submitted their compliance reports.
“They have to comply with the recommendations given after the recent inspections,” Ticao said, stressing that “by this time, the stoppage order is still in effect.”
Arceo said he will order the Task Force Palupok comprised of the Hinigaran Municipal Police Station and the Bureau of Fire Protection to fast track the submission of the compliance report.
Pending the submission of the report, the mayor said firecracker operations in Hinigaran will continue.
“We can no longer stop our manufacturers and retailers as they have already incurred debts for capitalization or else they will mourn on Christmas and New Year,” Arceo said.
He added: “I understand that Dole has legal basis in imposing the prohibition, but I am also assuring them that we are compliant with all its guidelines.”
Ticao said they are sending a team to check the status of operations in Hinigaran and will immediately submit corresponding reports to Dole Central Office, if violations are indeed committed.
In Bacolod, Ticao said on Wednesday they are waiting for the compliance of firecracker vendors so they can display their products at the designated firecrackers zone behind the Pope John Paul Tower at Reclamation Area.
On Tuesday, Executive Assistant Ernesto Pineda, composite team leader, conducted an inspection of the firecrackers stalls.
Pineda checked the site with Jose Carreon of the Dole, lawyer Reuben Sabig of the City Legal Office, Superintendent Noel Polines of the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO), Superintendent Rodolfo Denaga of Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and Allan Pacheco, president of Bacolod Firecrackers Vendor and Traders Association.
Ticao said in Bacolod, they have received applications from 76 firecracker vendors, adding that all of them are required to secure certificates from BCPO, BFP, and the City Government.
“As soon they can submit their compliance, the labor department could lift the work stoppage order,” he said.
Polines on Wednesday said they reminded the sellers to limit their stocks to not more than 50 kilos of pyrotechnics and firecrackers to avoid untoward incidents. (With reports from MAP)