PNP wants stiffer penalties vs. fireworks law violators

The Philippine National Police's Firearms and Explosives Office (PNP-FEO) on Saturday said it wanted some provisions of the fireworks law amended.

In an interview after meeting with pyrotechnics groups on Saturday, FEO director Chief Superintendent Cesar Hawthorne Binag said that the penalty for violating Republic Act 7183 are too light.

The act controls the "the manufacture, sale, distribution and use of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices consistent with, and in furtherance of, public safety, order and national security, as well as the enhancement of the cultural traditions.

Binag said that violators of the act face only six monthys to a year of imprisonment with a fine ranging from P20,000 to P30,000.

"Pero tingnan mo yung naging impact, ilan yung namatay? Tapos 'pag may violation ganun lang kababa," Binag said.

VIDEO: Ilang probisyon sa IRR ng RA 7183 nais na marepaso ng PNP Firearms & Explosives Office. @dzbb pic.twitter.com/QZe9AvmjUv

— Divine Reyes (@divinereyes) October 15, 2016

Binag said there are also technical aspects of the law that he's looking into, including the unspecified "safe distance" required for dealer and retailers to sell firecrakers from residential areas.

"Kasi safe distance ng manufacturer, naka-define yun, 300 meters from the residential area. Pagdating sa dealer, retailer, ang nakalagay lang dun 'safe distance,'" Binag said.

Binag had met with the Philippine Fireworks Association and Philippine Pyrotechnics Manufacturers and Dealers Association Incorporated (PPMDAI) in Camp Crame.

VIDEO: Mga samahan ng gumagawa ng paputok nakikipagpulong ngayon sa PNP FEO kaugnay sa muling pagbusisi ng IRR ng RA 7183. @dzbb pic.twitter.com/jUuPGXAGD9

— Divine Reyes (@divinereyes) October 15, 2016

During the meeting, members of the PPMDAI voiced their concern over pronouncements by the current administration of the possible imposition of a total firecrackers ban nationwide.

The PPMDAI members said "millions" of people rely on the fireworks industry for jobs.

"Nananawagan kami kay Pangulo na sana unawain ang nasa industriya sapagkat ang nakasalalay dito, milyong tao ang umaasa't naghahanap-buhay dito," the PPMDAI appealed. —report from radio dzBB's Divine Reyes/Jessica Bartolom/ALG, GMA News