As celebrations to ring in the New Year approach, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque has clarified that the use of firecrackers is not banned by Executive Order No. 28, signed by President Rodrigo Duterte in June.
Rather, it is regulated.
During a press conference in Malacañang on Tuesday, Roque said that local government units have been tasked to designate areas where the public can still enjoy fireworks displays.
According to EO No. 28, the use of firecrackers will be confined to community fireworks displays “to minimize the risk of injuries and casualties.”
A community fireworks display:
– is conducted on the occasion or as part of a celebration, competition, or similar event held in a venue other than a place of residence;
– is conducted under the supervision of a trained person duly licensed by the Philippine National Police; and
– is allowed by the concerned municipality or city through a permit specifying the date and time of the fireworks display and the specific area in which it will be conducted, in conformity with national standards, rules, and regulations.
Under EO No. 28, the PNP Director-General is tasked to promulgate criteria for what constitutes prohibited firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices.
“All fireworks falling under such criteria may not be manufactured, sold, distributed, or used even as part of a community fireworks display,” the EO says.
As of December 11, the following are the prohibited fireworks, according to a press release by the Department of the Interior and Local Government:
– piccolo,
– pop pop,
– Goodbye Philippines or Crying Bading,
– Yolanda or Goodbye Napoles,
– Watusi,
– Pla-pla,
– Giant Kuwitis,
– Watusi or Dancing Firecrackers,
– Super Lolo,
– Atomic Big Trianggulo,
– Mother Rockets,
– Lolo Thunder,
– Pillbox,
– Boga,
– Big Judah’s Belt,
– Big Bawang,
– Kwiton,
– Bin Laden,
– Kabasi,
– Atomic Bomb,
– Five Star,
– Og,
– Giant Whistle Bomb, and
– all other oversized firecrackers with more than 1/3 teaspoon of explosive content.
According to Republic Act No. 7183 (An Act Regulating the Sale, Manufacture, Distribution, and Use of Firecrackers and Other Pyrotechnic Devices), only the following are allowed to be manufactured, sold, and used:
– Baby Rocket,
– Bawang,
– Small Triangle,
– Pulling of Strings,
– Paper Caps,
– El Diablo, and
– Sky Rocket or Kwitis.
Meanwhile, the following pyrotechnic devices are the only legal ones:
– Sparklers,
– Luces,
– Fountain,
– Jumbo regular and special,
– Mabuhay,
– Roman Candle,
– Trompillo,
– Airwolf,
– Whistle Device, and
– Butterfly.
Asked if implementation will be strict on the first year of the EO, Roque pointed out that the President had given instructions to the LGUs and the PNP regarding the matter.
In the December 11 DILG press release, DILG Officer-in-Charge Catalino Cuy was quoted as saying the PNP must conduct inspections, as well as confiscate and destroy prohibited firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices in accordance with the EO and RA 7183.
He directed the Bureau of Fire Protection to support the PNP in the stricter implementation of the EO.
“While firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices have been part of the Christmas celebrations, it is very vital to enforce stricter rules and regulations on these matters so that there will be lesser if not totally zero firecracker-related injuries and casualties this year,” Cuy said.
