PRO-7 inspects firecracker factories

CEBU, Philippines - Police Regional Office-7 director Lani-O Nerez personally inspected yesterday three firecracker factories in Barangay Babag, Lapu-Lapu City to check on their compliance with safety standards especially that Christmas and New Year celebrations are already around the corner.

Nerez said the inspection was conducted to check if factory owners have complied with the necessary safety measures and guidelines to prevent the occurrence of fire.

There were some lapses observed during the inspection but Nerez said that in general, factory owners comply with the guidelines and safety measures in manufacturing firecrackers.

Nerez, together with other officials of PRO-7, first inspected JP Fireworks owned by couple Julian and Grace Pongasi.

The couple should install “No Smoking Area” signage, said Nerez, who at the same time appreciated that the area is located near the sea and is several meters away from the residential houses. The police official said the couple is also observing safety on firecracker manufacturing using non-substandard materials.

During an inspection at the Avila Fireworks, Nerez advised the owner, Mario Avila, to set up safety gadgets such as face masks, fire extinguishers as well as proper ventilation for the stock room so as not to jeopardize his workers.

The last factory visited by a team from PRO-7 was Imbong Fireworks owned by Ernesto Imbong. Nerez said the owner has complied with the needed requirements and needed only few corrections.

Nerez said he will direct the Firearms, Explosives, Security Agencies and Guards Supervision Section-7 not to issue permit on manufacture firecrackers to factory owners who do not comply with the necessary requirements. —Niña G. Sumacot with reports from Guam Logroño of Banat News/WAB (THE FREEMAN)