Palace on total ban on firecrackers: ‘It’s up to Congress’

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MANILA, Jan. 3—Malacañang is leaving proposals on total ban on firecrackers up to Congress, as it is the one authorized to amend Republic Act No. 7183 or the law regulating the sale, manufacture, distribution and use of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices.

This developed after the Department of Health (DOH) recorded over 400 firecracker-related injuries during the New Year revelry despite its relentless reminders to the public every year of the risks involved when using such dangerous objects.

In an interview over Radyo ng Bayan on Sunday, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said the DOH never failed in leading the government’s annual campaign against firecrackers for the health and safety of the public.

Health Secretary Janette Garin, Coloma added, also expressed hopes that all local government units would eventually take part in such anti-firecracker drive in the coming years.

“Nasa pagpapasya ng Kongreso kung kinakailangang magkaroon ng amyenda sa mga umiiral na batas na may kinalaman sa regulasyon sa paputok tulad ng Republic Act 7183: An Act Regulating the Sale, Manufacture, Distribution and Use of Firecrackers and Other Pyrotechnic Devices (The decision on whether the laws on firework regulation, like the Republic Act 7183: An Act Regulating the Sale, Manufacture, Distribution and Use of Firecrackers and Other Pyrotechnic Devices, need amendment is up to the Congress),” Coloma said.

“Tulad ng ipinahayag ni Secretary Garin, ang mahalaga ay ito: ‘Walang buhay ang masasawi, walang daliri o kamay na mapuputol, at walang matang mabubulag dahil sa kawalan ng pag-iingat sa pagsalubong sa bagong taon (The same with the statement of Secretary Garin, what’s important is this: There will be no lives lost, no fingers or hands that need to be amputated, and no eyes that will be blinded because of lack of caution in welcoming New Year),’” he added. (PNA)