DILG orders PNP, LGUs to enforce firecracker laws

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) has directed the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the local government units (LGUs) to implement the regulations on firecracker use, to minimize the number of fires and firecracker-related injuries.

“Upang maiwasan ang anumang sakuna o sunog na dulot ng paputok, kailangang ipatupad ng mga LGUs ang kautusan laban sa paggamit ng paputok,” DILG Secretary Eduardo Año said in a statement on Thursday.

(To prevent accidents or fires due to firecrackers, LGUs should enforce the order against the use of firecrackers.)

“For this year, sana mas bumaba pa ang mga masasaktan dahil sa paputok. Kaya naman natin kung gugustuhin (I hope the number of injuries due to firecrackers will go down. We can do it if we want),” he added.

Several laws regulate the use of firecrackers in the country.  One is R.A. 7183 or “An act regulating the sale, manufacture, distribution, and use of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices,” which allows the PNP to determine what firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices are regulated or prohibited.

Authorities have banned firecrackers such as watusi, piccolo, super lolo, atomic triangle, large Judas belt, large bawang, pillbox, bosa, Goodbye Philippines, Bin Laden, mother rocket, lolo thunder, coke in can, atomic bomb, five star, pla-pla, giant whistle bomb, and kabasi.

In 2017, President Duterte signed Executive Order 28, which controlled the use of firecrackers and relegated fireworks displays to a designated spot in a community, and under the supervision of trained police personnel.

The DILG reminded the people who wish to stage a fireworks display that it should be granted permission by the concerned LGU specifying the date and time, and the specific area where the display would be conducted.

The department added that LGUs and local executives could promulgate rules on firecracker use within their jurisdictions if they deem necessary.

“Napakahalaga ng bahagi ng PNP at LGUs sa pagpapatupad ng batas laban sa pagpapaputok tuwing panahon ng Kapaskuhan at Bagong Taon, at sa pagtiyak ng kaligtasan ng ating mga kababayan,” Año noted.

(The role of the PNP and LGUs is very important in the implementation of laws against firecrackers during Christmas and New Year and in ensuring the safety of our fellowmen.)/lb