QC gov’t to regulate sale of firecrackers

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MANILA — The Quezon City government limits the sale of lighting and sparkling devices to ensure that only those with minimum amount of explosive materials and produced by legitimate firecrackers and pyrotechnics manufacturers are offered to the public.

“There is an urgent need to strictly regulate, monitor and control the retail of one of the most prevalent commodities on sale during the long holidays because these could cause injury and unexpected fire,” said Mayor Herbert Bautista, noting guidelines on trading, sales and use of firecrackers and pyrotechnics devices during the holiday season.

Bautista signed Memorandum Circular No. 20 to regulate the retailing/sales of firecrackers and pyrotechnics in Quezon City to ensure public safety.

“We should act now to prevent such incidents and most of all, to save lives and properties in the city,” said Bautista.

The sale or retail of the year-end sparklers on the streets, sidewalks and other temporary vending areas shall be regulated for the good of everyone, Bautista added.

The guidelines require the retailers to apply for a hawker’s permit from the market development and administration department (MDAD), which will be awarded only upon completion of the required documents.

Only the following types of firecrackers shall be allowed for sale: baby rockets, “bawang,” small triangulo, pulling of strings, paper caps, el diablo, judah’s belt, sky rockets (kwitis) and other types with equivalent content of explosive as of the above items.

For pyrotechnic devices, sparklers, luces, fountain, jumbo, mabuhay, roman candle, trompillo, airwolf, whistle device, butterfly and other types equivalent with the above explosive content will be allowed on sale.

An on-site fire safety equipment prescribed by the Bureau of Fire Protection should be available at all times during the retail period.

The retail sites should be located 15 meters away from gasoline stations, establishments which produce, manufacture or store combustible or flammable materials and those engaged in food businesses which use stoves, open flames or portable electric heaters.

Testing of firecrackers and pyrotechnics devices are strictly prohibited and a “no smoking” sign shall be prominently displayed within the trading area.

Failure to comply with the memorandum circular will be a cause for the confiscation and destruction of prohibited firecrackers.