Duterte urged to develop, not shut down firecracker industry

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte. KING RODRIGUEZ/Presidential Photo

MANILA — The labor group Associated Labor Unions (ALU) said the government should help develop, instead of shut down, the entire pyrotechnic and firecracker industry in the country.

“We urge the government not to destroy the entire industry. What the industry workers and businesses need now is help and support from the national and local government for them to evolve, modernize and flourish. Life and property destruction can be averted or greatly minimized if the available new and safe technologies are infused into the industry,” said Alan Tanjusay, ALU spokesperson, in a statement.

He said the local government units or the government agencies, such as the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and Department of Science and Technology (DOST), could call for a summit and lead stakeholders in discussing ways toward modernizing the industry.

The summit could also be a forum for the introduction of more stringent and consistent application of safety and health regulation in the manufacturing, selling and use of firecrackers and pyrotechnics, Tanjusay added.

Fireworks light up the sky as Filipinos welcome the New Year Thursday, Jan.1, 2015 in Manila, Philippines. Traditionally Filipinos welcome the New Year with firecrackers, fireworks and almost anything to make the loudest noise possible. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)

The labor group made the proposition amid a nationwide work stoppage order issued by the DOLE following recent explosions in firecracker manufacturing sites in Bulacan that left at least five people dead and several others injured.

Last week, three people were killed and six others were wounded in an explosion at the AA Firecracker Manufacturing in Sitio Bangka-Bangkaan, Barangay Pulong Buhangin in Sta. Maria, Bulacan.

Last October 12, two persons were killed and 24 others were injured when a cluster of fireworks shops exploded in Barangay Binang 1st, in Bocaue, Bulacan.

“If the government suppresses the industry, thousands of workers and their families will suffer. Besides, if the industry is banned, unsafe firecrackers and unregulated pyrotechnics from foreign countries will be smuggled and proliferate anyway,” Tanjusay said.

He said 400,000 workers, employers, retailers and allied industry workers have made their livelihood out of the industry.  SFM