SoCot provincial board approves ordinance on firecrackers, fireworks

KORONADAL
CITY - To solve the increasing problem on firecracker and other pyrotechnic
devices related injuries during the Holiday season, the provincial board has
already approved on third and final reading a provincial ordinance that regulates its uses. ”An ordinance regulating the
manufacture, sale, distribution, possession, or use of firecrackers and other
pyrotechnic devices within the
territorial jurisdiction of South Cotabato and providing penalties for
violations thereof,” is now pending in the provincial law making body. Interviewed by Radyo Bida Koronadal,Board
Member Agustin Demalaa, chairman of the committee on peace and order of the
provincial board and the main proponent of the ordinance, said that after series of publications in local
newspapers, implementation of the said
ordinance will begin this December. Violators will be fined P1000 for first offense, P3,000 for second
offense, P5,000 and possible filing of
the case for third offense. Common
type of firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices with at least 0.2 grams or 1/3 teaspoon or less explosive
powders content are allowed only by the ordinance. Firecrackers
such as bawang, small triangulo, pulling of string, paper caps, El Diablo, Judah’s Belt, and sky rockets can still be legally sold under the
said ordinance. Also
allowable are pyrotechnic devices like
butterfly, whistle device, airwolf, mabuhay, roman candle, sparkle, luces,
fountain, jumbo regular and special, candle, and trompillo. Prohibited
firecrackers and pyrotechnics that contain explosive beyond the allowable powder
content and endanger the populace are Lolo Thunder, Super
Lolo, Rambo, 50 caliber, Pla-pla, Camara, Magic Bomb,Kwiton Bomb, Kwiton
Palitaw, Kwiton Parachute,Kweton 3 colors, Giant Whistle Bomb, Whislte Bomb and
many others. Only
Community fireworks display with permit and done in secured places under the
supervision of the local government unit or Barangay and duly authorized
personnel from Explosive Ordnance Division of the Philippine National Police is
allowed,”Demaala said. In
2013, the Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) has recorded at least 100
firecracker related injury in South Cotabato, the highest in region 12. Most of
them used the illegally manufactured
Piccolo during the revelry.