Firecracker prices soar to 100 percent

CEBU - The prices of firecrackers have soared to as much as 100 percent in 2008 because of the reported limited supply of ingredients following the stricter government regulations on chemical importation.

Grace Pungasi, a licensed firecracker manufacturer who owns the JP Fireworks in barangay Babag, Lapu-Lapu City, said they have doubled their prices in 2008 compared to 2007.

Pungasi said a small “triangle” that costs P0.15 in 2007 is now sold at P0.30. A “kwitis” which used to sell at P1.50 before is now sold at P3, she said.

The limited supply of chemicals used as ingredients in the manufacturing of firecrackers was blamed for the skyrocketing of prices. 

Rey Lyndon Lawas, former firearms and explosives office chief in Central Visayas, confirmed the limited supply of chemical ingredients for manufacturing explosives.

Lawas said this was because of the stricter rules in the importation of chemicals in the face of government’s fight against terrorism. The limited supply has also brought the prices of chemicals up.

Pungasi admitted that this also forced firecracker manufacturers to increase their prices. She believes that the high prices of firecrackers were also the reason why only few customers are buying from them.

Pungasi also observed that the number of people buying firecrackers has decreased last year.

The government claimed that the decrease in the number of people buying firecrackers for Christmas and New Year revelries was due to its intensive campaign against the danger of using pyrotechnic materials.  

But observers said the decrease has nothing to do with the government campaign but due to the economic crisis and the increase in the firecracker prices. — Fred P. Languido/LPM   (THE FREEMAN)