Bulacan fireworks stores slow down traffic along NLEx

BOCAUE, Bulacan—The annual trek to buy fireworks here for the New Year revelry has slowed down Friday traffic along the North Luzon Expressway and the Mac-Arthur Highway.

As of press time, the Bocaue toll exit at NLEx has been clogged with motorists.

However, sales have not moved fast enough for Bulacan retailers, although some items have been priced higher due to short supplies.

Operators of the Eat Bulaga Store in Pyro Zone 2 was allowed to open on Dec. 27, and indicated they were not certain if the store could recover their investments this year.

Eat Bulaga was one of many Bulacan stores and fireworks manufacturers that were shut down by the Department of Labor and Employment in October, following two fireworks accidents that killed five people.

Liam Fireworks, also set up in Pyro Zone 2, opened on Friday, selling kuwitis (skyrockets) and sawa (Judas belt).

The store said supplies of these items may be lower because many fireworks manufacturers were not able to operate fully due to DOLE stoppage work order.

Skyrockets, priced last year at P2.50 per piece, are being sold for P4 per item, while a Judas belt composed of 1,000 firecrackers is priced at P350 to P450 and a belt containing 2,000 rounds costs as much as P700.

Pyrotechnic devices that shoot 16 fireworks bursts are being sold for P550, while 70-shot fireworks cost P5,500.

Ramces Viray, 32, traveled here from Angeles City in Pampanga to buy firecrackers and fireworks, saying he wanted to drive away bad luck.

A poultry owner from Pampanga said he drove here for fireworks, and not firecrackers, which he described as unsafe.