Buying fireworks for holiday celebrations? Be cautious, says DTI

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on Thursday reminded the public to be extra careful when buying fireworks for the holiday celebrations.

On the sidelines of DTI’s inspection of fireworks and firecrackers stalls in Bocaue, Bulacan, Assistant Secretary Amanda Nograles said some fireworks and firecrackers being sold in the market that have the Philippine Standard Quality (PS) Mark are not licensed for sale by manufacturers.

It was the case for two Bocaue shops checked by DTI personnel on Thursday.

“Reminder po sa mga consumer katulad po ng nahuli natin kanina, hindi porke nahuli merong PS Mark ‘yung fireworks or firecrackers na binibili natin lehitimo na ‘yon. So ‘yong nakitaan nating merong PS Mark pero ‘yong modelo na ‘yon [ay] hindi licensed ng DTI na ibenta ng manufacturer,” Nograles said.

(Reminder to consumers, just like what we caught earlier, not because there’s a PS Mark on the fireworks or firecrackers we’re buying it’s automatically legitimate. So those we saw with PS Mark but that model is not licensed by the DTI to be sold by the manufacturer.)

She urged the public to look at DTI’s list of fireworks models that are authorized for sale on its official website.

“Hinihikayat natin ang mga consumer na maging aware sila na i-check ang listahan ng mga modelo na maaaring ibenta ng mga manufacturer,” Nograles added.

(We encourage consumers to be aware to check the list of models that manufacturers can sell.)

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