Congress eyes more regulation of fireworks and ‘crackers

By: DJ Yap - 10 years ago

Firecrackers. AP file photo

MANILA, Philippines—The public order and safety committee of the House of Representatives is poised to consolidate three proposals to regulate the sale, manufacture and use of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic materials in the Philippines.

The committee has formed a technical working group (TWG) to reconcile the three bills to provide for stricter penalties against violators and to amend existing laws on firecrackers, which are known to cause injuries among revelers during the holidays.

In a hearing just before Congress adjourned for the holidays, the committee chaired by Negros Occidental Rep. Jeffrey Ferrer named Pangasinan Rep. Leopoldo Bataoil as head of the working group tasked to consolidate House Bills 786, 1409 and 4434.

ACT-CIS party-list Rep. Samuel Pagdilao, a committee vice chair, said the proposed stricter regulation of the manufacture, sale, distribution, and use of firecrackers was among the legislative priorities of the committee.

“That is why a TWG has been organized to speed up consolidation of all similar bills related to firecrackers. The committee hearings on the consolidated bill will much depend on how fast the TWG finishes its job and submits this to the committee for deliberation,” he said.

At the committee hearing, representatives from the Bureau of Fire Protection under the Department of the Interior and Local Government, and from the Bureau of Product Standards under the Department of Trade and Industry expressed support for passage of the bills.

However, firecracker manufacturers belonging to the Philippine Pyrotechnic Manufacturers and Dealers Association Inc. and the Philippine Fireworks Association said Republic Act 7183 was sufficient.

What was needed, they said, was strict implementation and enforcement of the law.

House Bill 786, authored by former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, the Pampanga representative under hospital arrest, prohibits the use of firecrackers by a non-professional or without the supervision of a professional, and carries a fine of P50,000 to P100,000 and imprisonment of one month and one day to one year.

On the other hand, House Bill HB 1409, authored by Northern Samar Rep. Harlin Abayon, will amend Section 11 of RA 7183 by raising the penalty for violators to a fine of P500,000 to P1 million and imprisonment of six to 12 years in addition to the cancellation of their license and business permit and the confiscation by government of their inventory.

The penalty under the existing law is only a fine of P20,000 to P30,000 and imprisonment of six months to one year, or both, at the discretion of the court.

The last one, House Bill 4434 of Valuenzuela Rep. Sherwin Gatchalian, also seeks to amend RA 7183 by providing for stricter penalties.

His bill also punishes parents and guardians who “knowingly instigate” the purchase of fireworks or pyrotechnic devices by their minor children or wards with a fine of P10,000.