By Manny Balbin/PNA
BOCAUE, Bulacan — Governor Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado and Vice Governor Daniel R. Fernando, together with the officials of the Pyrotechnic Regulatory Board (PRB), inspected on Thursday some fireworks manufacturing plants and stalls in this town.
The move is to ensure that the rules and regulations stated under Republic Act No. 7183 (An Act regulating the sale, manufacture, distribution and use of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices) are being observed by manufacturers, dealers and retailers of pyrotechnics and firecrackers.
Alvarado and Fernando, along with PRB officials, Celso Cruz of the Philippine Pyrotechnics Manufacturers and Dealers Association Inc. (PPMDAI) as well as executives from the Philippine Fireworks Association, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), checked Maribel Sta. Ana Fireworks in Barangay Duhat and R. T. Sayo Fireworks in Barangay Turo, both in this town.
“Hanggang sa ngayon, satisfied kami dahil ang Bulacan pa rin ang nangunguna sa pyrotechnics at sa maraming bagay at maraming field of endeavors (Until now, we are satisfied because Bulacan is still leading in pyrotechnics and to some other matters and more field of endeavors),” the governor said.
Although inspection are being conducted regularly on fireworks and firecrackers manufacturers and dealers, he still called on the public to be vigilant and to report illegal dealers that would affect the local industry.
“Umiiwas tayo hindi sa paputok kung hindi sa sakuna. Pinipilit nating panatilihin ang kalidad ng ating mga produkto nang sa gayon ay hindi mawalan ng hanapbuhay ang higit 200 pamilya na umaasa dito. Gayundin kailangan natin matutunan ang responsible handling ng mga paputok upang makaiwas tayo sa disgrasya (We are avoiding not the firecrackers but the accident. We are trying to maintain the quality of our products so that the more than 200 families that depend on this industry will not lose their livelihood. Likewise, there is need to learn the responsible handling of the firecrackers to avoid accident),” Alvarado said.
He added that there are 29 licensed firecracker manufacturers and 95 licensed dealers in Bulacan.
Meanwhile, Jovenson Ong of the Philippine Fireworks Association, cleared that “bawang”, “Judas’ belt”, “five star” and “sawa” are not included in the list of illegal firecrackers.
He also noted that the Philippines, represented by Dragon Fireworks, is the first country in Southeast Asia to win the prestigious Festival of Pyrotechnic Arts in Cannes competition this year.
