Palace: Firecracker makers can’t elude ban with name changes

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang warned firecracker manufacturers yesterday that changing the names of banned firecrackers would not save them from criminal liability and punishment.

The Palace issued the warning as the number of firecracker-related injuries continues to rise based on Department of Health (DOH) records. Officials said powerful firecrackers banned in previous years have re-emerged with different labels.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said these manufacturers should not be given a chance to subvert the government’s campaign against production and sale of large and dangerous firecrackers.

As of yesterday, the number of firecracker-related injuries stood at 164. The DOH is renewing its call for the public to find alternative ways of celebrating the New Year.

Based on the DOH’s Injury Registry for the “Iwas Paputok” campaign, the 164 injured individuals were treated in 50 hospitals across the country from the morning of Dec. 21 to yesterday morning. The records also showed one victim of stray bullet and five victims whose fingers had to be amputated.

The number is 32 cases lower than in the same period in 2011. It is also six percent lower than the figure in 2007-2011.

But Health Assistant Secretary Dr. Eric Tayag said this should not lead authorities and the public into complacency because most of the cases of injuries occur on Dec. 31 and Jan. 1.

“One hundred three (63 percent) were active users. Majority (135 or 82 percent) sustained blast injuries not requiring amputation; 27 (16 percent) had eye injuries and five (three percent) were blast injuries requiring amputation,” the registry showed.

President Aquino has also appealed to the public to heed warnings against the use of firecrackers during the New Year’s Eve revelry.

The President said the government has been strongly advocating and campaigning for a safe celebration of the New Year to avoid any untoward incidents.

Aquino said they were working closely with Health Secretary Enrique Ona and Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II to ensure the campaign’s success.

The President said he was glad to see warnings on the use of firecrackers in the film “Sisterakas,” which topbilled his sister Kris.

Ariel Naresma, who operates a firecracker store in Parañaque City, said banned firecrackers like the “Bin Laden,” “Goodbye Philippines,” “Goodbye Gloria” and “Trillanes” had been renamed “Goodbye Bading” or “Crying Bading,” “Ampatuan” and “Green Penoy.”

Even the tiny, multicolored piccolo, which children often mistake for candy, has been renamed apparently to mislead authorities.

The piccolo is now called “Pacquiao,” after the national boxing hero and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao.

“Authorities know about this renaming scheme and police operations continue in order to confiscate these illegal (products),” Valte said.

She said the public must realize there is nothing to benefit from the use of firecrackers in welcoming the New Year.

The Climate Change Commission (CCC) has also urged lawmakers to address the issue on the continued proliferation of powerful firecrackers.

CCC Commissioner Heherson Alvarez said unless authorities impose tougher restrictions, this year’s number of firecracker-related incidents would likely exceed last year’s.

Alvarez lauded local government units that have regulated, controlled or outlawed firecrackers, including the cities of Davao, Mandaue, Cebu, Makati, Taguig, and Pasay.

Meanwhile, environment and animal rights advocates gathered yesterday at the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center in Quezon City to call on the public not to use firecrackers and fireworks in welcoming the New Year.

The event, themed “Be Kind to Animals,” was organized by the EcoWaste Coalition in cooperation with the Animal Kingdom Foundation, CARA Welfare Philippines, Pets for Peace, and the Philippine Animal Welfare Society.

“Humans are not the only ones affected by the noise and pollution from firecrackers and pyrotechnics. Animals, particularly cats and dogs, suffer silently from the deafening mayhem,” said Aileen Lucero, of the EcoWaste Coalition.

Robust sale

In Bocaue, Bulacan, the sale of firecrackers and pyrotechnic products has intensified and supply is running out fast.

Vimmie Erese, president of the Philippine Pyrotechnics Manufacturers and Dealers Association Inc. (PPMDAI), said the sale of pyrotechnic products started to pick up after Christmas.

“We thought we won’t be able to sell our products this year,” she said, noting that the series of calamities that struck the country may have changed the people’s spending priorities.

“They would rather rebuild their homes first rather than buy fireworks for the New Year,” she added.

She said many Filipinos still believe that welcoming the New Year with a bang would drive bad spirits away.

Erese attributed the low production partly to the numerous requirements imposed by government regulators.

Based on her estimates, local pyrotechnics production dropped by at least 35 percent this year over last year due to high cost of raw materials mostly imported from Europe.

On firecracker-related injuries, Erese said it could be prevented with proper guidance. Most of the victims, she said, were children and mere passersby.

Erese urged the police to strictly enforce the law against oversized firecrackers.

As part of the campaign against illegal firecrackers, Task Force “Paputok” of the Bulacan police yesterday conducted a surprise inspection of establishments selling firecrackers and pyrotechnic products in Barangay Turo, Bocaue town and nearby areas.

Senior Superintendent Joel Orduna said the task force was created to ensure that safety guidelines and other salient provisions of Republic Act 7183 or the Firecracker Law are strictly observed. – Aurea Calica, Rhodina Villanueva, Sheila Crisostomo, Dino Balabo, Ric Sapnu