PNP hosts nationwide fireworks safety seminars

Director Gil Calaguio Meneses of the PNP Civil Security Group. Photo from https://www.pnpcsg.org.ph/

MANILA, Philippines – This early, the Philippine National Police (PNP) is conducting fireworks training seminars throughout the country to reduce the number of casualties caused by firecrackers.

Director Gil Calaguio Meneses of the PNP Civil Security Group said Tuesday that the most common cause of injuries from fireworks is mishandling, so they are aiming to educate both the producers and consumers.

“It is the directive of the president to educate producers on how to go with their business safely and, through sharing of best practices … protect the people using firecrackers,” Meneses told reporters Tuesday.

Around 250 members of the Philippine Pyrotechnics Manufacturers and Dealers Association Inc (PPMDAI) in the National Capital Region (NCR) attended the Metro Manila leg of the nationwide seminar.

Meneses said that the seminar will also help the manufacturers get certificates that will make their application for a license to operate easier.

There are 44 registered manufacturers in the country and 179 dealers. Meneses said that they have also been cracking down on illegal manufacturers who have unsafe practices in producing firecrackers.

The firecrackers produced by illegal manufacturers pose the biggest threat to consumers because these products are not assured of compliance with regulations.

Engineer Celso Cruz, chairman emeritus of the 3000-member PPMDAI, said that the center of firecracker manufacturing is in Bulacan.

He said that there are many manufacturers who don’t have valid licenses because of their meager capital. He added that they are policing their own ranks and reporting illegal producers to ensure the safety of people.

“We are holding this seminar so our members will know the rules and regulations,” Cruz said.

Meneses urged people to patronize the legal manufacturers to ensure they are buying safe firecrackers.

He said that they are set to release the list of prohibited firecrackers once they have a full inventory of all those being sold in the market.