DILG confiscates illegally manufactured fireworks

MANILA, Philippines—Fifty-thousand-peso-worth (P50,000.00) of illegally manufactured firecracker and pyrotechnic products were confiscated in Bocaue, Bulacan, on Thursday by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) in an effort to prevent the sale of banned and dangerous firecrackers in the market ahead of the New Year’s revelry.

DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo, along with Region III Bureau of Fire Protection and Bulacan provincial police office, inspected firecracker stores in Barangay (village) Turo in Bocaue, Bulacan and confiscated at least 10 sacks of illegally manufactured firecracker and pyrotechnic products.

Among the banned and dangerous firecrackers confiscated during the inspection were “Goodbye Philippines, Giant Pla-pla, Giant Lolo, Giant Bawang, Coke-in-Can Bomb, Bin Laden, Kwiton Bomb, Goodbye Bading and Kabasi,” DILG said in a statement.

Robredo said the government is doing its best in exercising its authority to stop the use of these types of firecrackers by confiscating, arresting and filling cases against those responsible.

He also directed the Philippine National Police (PNP) Firearms and Explosives Division (FED) to file charges against “unscrupulous” traders and individuals who will engage in the manufacture, distribution and sale of the banned firecracker products which puts the public in danger, particularly the children.

“The PNP-FED and the BFP should ensure that no banned, or extremely dangerous firecracker products will reach the market so as to reduce firecracker-related injuries,” he said.

Robredo also urged all local chief executives to actively participate in the government’s anti-firecracker campaign to reduce firecracker-related deaths and injuries in their respective localities.