More Pinoys switching from firecrackers to pyrotechnics —industry insider

More and more Filipinos are switching to pyrotechnics from the usual firecrackers in welcoming the New Year, an industry insider said Monday.

"Yung sa mga firecracker malaki ang kabawasan [sa benta], sa mga pailaw lumipat ang mga tao," said Joven Ong, president of  Philippine Fireworks Association, in an interview on Dobol B sa News TV.

LIVE sa DZBB: Joven Ong, Philippine Fireworks Association president kaugnay ng naging bentahan ng paputok ngayong taon.

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Ong said pyrotechnics are safer to use than firecrackers, not only because they cannot cause blast injuries but also because they exude less smoke compared to firecrackers.

"Dati kapag naglilinis po tayo ng ilong, napakaitim po ng ilong natin. Ngayon po kahit magpaputok na ang buong Metro Manila, makikita natin, linisin natin ang ilong natin, wala nang itim," he said.

"Bakit? Less firecracker na po ang ginagamit. Ang pyrotechnics po, mas hindi mausok. Mas konti po yung nai-exude nating pulbura."

Ong also said despite the "shortage" in supply of firecrackers and pyrotechnics, the profit of sellers increased on a per product basis.

"Mas maganda ang kanilang profit on a per product basis pero dahil nga sa kakulangan ng supply, yung quantity baka medyo konti. Pero yung kita nila na porsyento sa bawat binebenta nila, tumaas," he said.

Meanwhile, Ong said it is better to regulate the use of firecrackers and pyrotechnics than to totally ban it.

"Kasi dati, kapag total ban yan, makikita natin na walang bibili ng pailaw dahil madali silang mahuhuli kung sino gumagamit. Kapag total ban puro firecrackers po," he said.

This might lead to Filipinos patronizing extremely dangerous smuggled firecrackers through illegal sellers, he said. —Joviland Rita/KBK, GMA News