LINGAYEN—It’s the start of the “ber” months, the time for merry-making but this time without use of firecrackers.

The provincial board of Pangasinan in regular session on Sept. 11, approved the municipal ordinances passed by the Sangguniang Bayan of Dasol and Bayambang’s banning the manufacture, distribution, and sale of firecrackers, providing penalties for violators.

The Dasol ordinance, authored by Councilor Melchor Abella, cited circular issued by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) on the implementation of R.A. No. 7183 (“An Act Regulating the Sale, Manufacture, Distribution and Use of Firecrackers and Other Pyrotechnic Devices”), and another DILG circular enjoining  mayors to cause the cancellation or revocation of business permits or licenses of business establishments found manufacturing, importing, distributing and selling any consumer product declared as injurious and dangerous to health and safety.

“Every year, significant number of injuries, both severe and mild, caused by firecrackers were reported and recorded by the Department of Health wherein most victims were minors,” the ordinance said that specified imprisonment of not more than six months or a fine of not more than P2,500 or both at the discretion of the court.

Bayambang ordinance, on the other hand, stipulated rules and regulations governing the sale, distribution and use of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices, and prohibiting the manufacture of illegal/prohibited firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices in the said municipality.

Authored by Councilor Amory Junio, the ordinance cited accidents from using firecrackers that resulted in loss of properties and lives.

“There is a need for us to take great steps to regulate the use of firecrackers in order to minimize, if not to eradicate accidents that might result to loss of the Municipality’s ancestral heritage treasures,” it said.

A P2,500 fine will be imposed for selling firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices without temporary business permit, including selling beyond the allowed period.

For violating any of the safety guidelines on the sale and distribution of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices, the offender shall be fined P1,500 for every offense.

(Eva Visperas)

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