Public urged to patronize local firecrackers

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine National Police (PNP) has intensified the campaign against unscrupulous businessmen importing illegal firecrackers.

Chief Superintendent Gil Meneses, director of the PNP-Civil Security Group, also called on the public to patronize locally made firecrackers that are considered world-class.

“We have good firecrackers here in the Philippines so we might as well patronize our own. We did well in international shows on pyrotechnics,” Meneses said.

The PNP issued the appeal yesterday during the last phase of a series of seminars initiated by the Firearms and Explosives Office (FEO) for manufacturers, dealers, and retailers of pyrotechnics and firecrackers in the National Capital Region (NCR).

Meneses said the efforts were in compliance with the directive of President Aquino to educate the public, especially manufacturers, dealers and retailers on how to do business safely and ensure a hassle-free Yuletide season.

“The President is espousing zero casualties during the Christmas and New Year festivities,” he added.

Meneses said manufactures and dealers of firecrackers vowed to police their ranks by reporting presence of unauthorized manufacturers and dealers to the PNP.

“We have already touched based with our counterparts in the Bureau of Customs and some other law enforcement agencies to give us information and to help us in determining those who are importing illegal firecrackers,” he said.

Meneses said that legitimate manufacturers and dealers will be given certification by the PNP so the public will known where they can buy safe firecrackers.

“Manufacturers without certificates could not get license to operate and they cannot manufacture firecrackers and pyrotechnics,” he said.

At present, there are 44 manufacturers and 179 dealers of firecrackers nationwide.