Vendors warned against imported firecrackers

AS Christmas draws near, police warned firecracker vendors against the sale of imported and illegal firecrackers.

Retailers are also reminded to comply with all requirements before they can start selling.

Supt. Marvin Sanchez, head of the Firearms Explosive Division of Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7), said the retailers are required to secure a business permit and mayor’s certificate and are obliged to attend a fireworks safety training course on Dec. 10 in Camp Crame.

“Firecrackers should not be overweight, should not weigh more than 0.2 kilograms and it should not be oversized like the super lolo and whistle bomb,” Sanchez added.

Sanchez also said they will not hesitate to confiscate imported firecrackers being sold in the market.

The police have conducted inspections and so far, there have been no retailers and manufacturers found violating the guidelines.

“We still continue to monitor retailers and manufacturers who are suspected to be involved in selling illegal firecrackers,” he added.

Supt. Renato Dugan, information officer of PRO-7, said the consumer must also help the police in their drive against illegally produced and distributed firecrackers.

“If nobody patronizes illegal firecrackers, these vendors will also stop selling,” Dugan added.

Dugan also advised the public to practice the danger-free way of celebrating the holidays. “They can use “torotots” and cans to produce noise. This way, they can minimize on spending and avoid accidents,” Dugan said.

Supt. Paul Labra II, chief of the Regional Intelligence Division (RID) said station commanders are ordered to monitor the use of improvised “lantaka” as this is harmful to the public especially to children.

Labra added that firecrackers sold in sidewalks will also be seized as these have to be displayed only in designated firecrackers areas. /CORRESPONDENTS MICHELLE JOY L, PADAYHAG AND CHITO O. ARAGON