The Police Regional Office-6 has reiterated the guidelines on the use of firecrackers and pyrotechnics as manufacturers in Hinigaran, the firecracker capital of Negros Occidental, remain optimistic of steady sales for the New Year celebrations.
Ernesto Cuachon, president of Hinigaran Firecrackers and Pyrotechnics Devices Manufacturers, Dealers and Retailers Association Inc., told the NEGROS NOW DAILY that they initially expected a huge decrease in income this year, but it turned out that the pandemic did not affect much of their sales.
“Our sales decreased, but not really too much. We are grateful for that,” he said.
Since Dec. 13, retailers have been selling their goods along the national highway between Barangays Gargato and Anahaw. The stores will be open until midnight of Dec. 31.
Mary Jean Remetre, the association’s treasurer, said most retailers started to sell only on Dec. 20 because of the delay in production since some manufacturers waited for directives before going full blast to ensure that their products will be sold.
In Hinigaran, the association, which was formed in 2010, is composed of eight licensed manufacturers, 27 retailers, and one dealer.
Cuachon said that each manufacturer can designate up to five producers to manufacture firecrackers and pyrotechnics.
Aside from selling locally-made products, they also sell those produced in Bulacan, but at much higher prices.
Local items cost P4 to P150 apiece, depending on the size, Remetre said.
Prices of the popular triangle and tres kantos range from P60 to P80 and P150 to P200 per 100-piece pack, respectively.
Candle bomb costs P4 to P6 per piece; kuwetes and whistle bomb, P6 to P10; and big candle, P70 to P100.
Magic fountain and pinwheel can be bought for P25 to P30 (small); P50 to P75 (medium); and P100 to P150 (large) while pasirit (sparklers) costs P35 to P40 (small); P75 to P100 (medium); and P100 to P150 (large).
Meanwhile, Lt. Col. Joem Malong, spokesperson of PRO-6, said that Executive Order No. 28, series of 2017 issued by President Rodrigo Duterte, which strictly regulates the use of firecrackers and pyrotechnics, still stands.
Prohibited are the sale and use of firecrackers considered overweight, oversized, and unlabelled.
As to pyrotechnics, the Philippine National Police announced in a joint advisory dated Dec.16, 2020 that it will no longer process and issue special permits for community fireworks display in malls and other establishments.
This is to discourage mass gatherings among the spectators as a measure against the transmission of COVID-19 this holiday season, Malong said.
The PNP, however, said that it will respect the permits which were already granted prior to the issuance of the advisory.
The sale and use of consumer pyrotechnics or commonly referred to as pailaw may still be allowed, including butterfly, fountain, jumbo regular and special, luces, mabuhay, roman candle, sparklers, trompillo, whistle device and other similar types of pailaw.
As stipulated in EO 28, local government units are authorized to promulgate the necessary rules and regulations on firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices within their territorial jurisdiction in conformity with national standards, rules, and regulations.
The LGUs may also prohibit community fireworks display outside of malls and other establishments to prevent crowds as a measure against COVID-19, the EO said. – RDB/GB
