BY CHRYSEE G. SAMILLANO
Only 62 firecracker vendors who have secured special permits from the Bacolod City government are allowed to sell and display their products at the designated firecracker zone behind the Pope John Paul II Tower at the city’s Reclamation Area.
Executive assistant Ernie Pineda, head of the market coordinating and monitoring task group, said that those selling outside the designated firecracker zone will be fined and arrested.
Pineda said the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) along with the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) will be patrolling the various barangays to monitor any violation, while all police stations have already been directed to monitor their areas of jurisdiction to arrest illegal firecracker vendors.
Pineda said the 62 firecracker vendors who have secured their special permits will continue to do business in the designated firecracker zone until December 31.
These vendors have all undergone fireworks safety seminar and have been required to install “no smoking and no testing” signage, and were reminded to comply with health protocols, he said.
The Philippine National Police has also provided the list of fireworks and pyrotechnics devices considered legal and those that are allowed to be sold by retailers.
Under Republic Act 7183, or an Act Regulating the Sale, Manufacture, and Use of Firecrackers and Other Pyrotechnic Devices, prohibited fireworks include Super Lolo, Goodbye Earth, Five Star, whistle bomb, atomic triangle, piccolo, watusi, bogo, and pla-pla.*
