City to check safety in firecracker firms

CEBU, Philippines – Lapu-Lapu City Fire District officials will inspect fireworks manufacturing companies in Barangay Babag ahead of the holidays to determine whether they are complaint with safety standards.

Senior Fire Officer Rodrigo Igot said the inspections are aimed at avoiding untoward incidents in relation to the production and selling of fireworks.

“We should ensure that fireworks manufacturers observe safety practices, for instance, whether the storage of the chemicals in making fireworks are distant from a house,” Igot said.

He said they will check stalls a few days before Christmas. He did not reveal any date and time of the inspections.

Last October 20, the city fire district, city police and the city government initiated a fireworks safety seminar in the barangay’s gym attended by around 200 manufacturers who are, at the same time, sellers.

The annual seminar is another way of reviewing how the barangay observes safety in selling these products, said Barangay Captain Epifania Augusto.

“This is additional information to the manufacturers in preparation for the coming Christmas season and New Year,” she said.

Even if manufacturers have secured permits from the city government and from the police, Lawyer Von Conrad Dublois, chief inspector from the city fire district, said they will issue another permit once manufacturers have undergone the fire department’s seminar.

Acting police chief, Senior Superintendent Armando Radoc, said those involved in pyrotechnics business who went through the seminar should also educate the buyers or consumers regarding the use of firecrackers.

Mayor Paz Radaza, for her part, also told manufacturers that they should follow rules in order to avoid accidents; otherwise, the government will shut down their business.

“I urge you to please take this seriously because I will not hesitate to close down any manufacturer that does not follow,” Radaza said. (FREEMAN)