ILOILO CITY — More than 500 firecracker and pyrotechnic manufacturers, dealers and retailers in Western Visayas converged for a one-day fireworks safety seminar held in this city on Friday.
The attendance to the seminar is one of the requirements when securing a license from the Philippine National Police (PNP). It is separate from the requirements set by the local government unit (LGU) for the business permit.
Marlene Lea DG Alapide, president of the Philippine Pyrotechnics Manufacturers and Dealers Association, Inc. (PPMDAI), said the seminar is necessary as they are also trying to reach out to consumers to let them know the safety procedures in lighting firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices.
“In the campaign for the reduction on the statistics for injuries, we were able to see the effect from the previous years,” she added.
Meanwhile, Chief Supt. Valeriano T. de Leon, chief of the Firearms and Explosives Office of the PNP and guest of honor of the seminar, urged the people of Western Visayas to “be aware of the safety” measures.
“This is very significant as we have revisited the program of instruction. It brings awareness to everyone, especially to those prohibited and those that are illegal. This is an opportunity to make everyone as our mouthpiece and being educated or informed about the right thing to do,” he said.
Meanwhile, de Leon said they wanted to set a deadline for the application to “limit the license and make our dealers responsible by applying early.”
The deadline was supposed to be Nov. 15 but to make it realistic, it could be moved to December 15.
He also said the license validity is now two years.
Retailers can apply for a license at the regional office of the PNP while dealers still have to apply at the national headquarters, he said, adding that they also target to have an online application.
The officer also emphasized that there is no total ban on firecrackers, thus LGUs should “designate a community fireworks display where you can use pyrotechnics or fireworks.” (Perla Lena/PNA)
