Arroyos want pros to light firecrackers

Former President and now Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. AP FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Detained former President turned Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has filed a bill that would make it illegal for minors to handle firecrackers, and allowing only trained, certified professionals to light the explosives on New Year’s Eve.

Arroyo and her son, Camarines Sur Rep. Diosdado M. Arroyo, have proposed that the services of a professional must always be employed to handle or supervise the use of firecrackers for any occasion.

It would be the task of the Bureau of Fire Protection to train and accredit these professional firecracker handlers, the Arroyos said in their measure.

To protect children from the incendiary devices, the bill would make it illegal for minors to handle firecrackers, even if there are adults or professionals present.

It will also require barangays to designate firecracker zones in their communities.

The Arroyos want to make it a policy of the state to “promote the safety and well-being of its citizens, even in times of jubilation and merriment.”

“The overzealous revelry and wanton disregard of safety, coupled with ignorance, have always resulted in maimed limbs, mangled bodies, burned houses and lives lost,” they said in their explanatory note.

According to them, the government’s campaign warning people against the dangers of firecrackers has succeeded to some extent, as the number of injuries involving New Year’s Eve revelers have lessened. But there still remain hundreds who get injured or die from playing with these items.

“The tragedy is that innocent children are the most vulnerable to these irresponsible acts in the name of merry making,” they said.

The Arroyos’ bill states that for events such as concerts, rallies, programs, shows and other similar activities where firecrackers would be used outside the designated firecracker areas, a permit must be secured from the barangay concerned. The organizers of the event would be required to hire a professional to handle the firecrackers.

For domestic and informal activities, the buyers of the firecrackers must also hire a professional.

The bill also tasks the BFP, Department of Health and Department of Environment and Natural Resources to regularly conduct information campaigns on the dangerous effects of the incendiary devices on health, safety and the environment.

Proposed penalties for those who would use firecrackers without the supervision of a professional are a fine of P50,000 to P100,000, and a jail term of one month to one year.

Failing to secure a clearance to use the devices outside designated areas would merit a P50,000 to P200,000 fine, and six months to one year in jail. The same penalties will apply to those who would allow a minor to play with firecrackers.

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