Manufacturers, sellers, users of illegal firecrackers face fine, jail time —DILG

Department of the Interior and Local Government officer-in-charge Catalino Cuy warned the public on Thursday that fines, imprisonment, or both await those who will be caught manufacturing, selling, distributing, or using illegal firecrackers and pyrotechnics.

“Taon-taon ay nag-aabiso tayo sa publiko tungkol sa pagbebenta at paggamit ng paputok.  Kaya pasensyahan po tayo kung kayo ay mahuhuli at mapapatawan ng kaukulang parusa o makakaloboso,” Cuy said in a press statement.

He said the government is serious in regulating firecrackers and will deal with those who do not abide by the law and regulations.

Cuy added that violators shall be fined  from P20,000 to P30,000, or imprisoned between six months to one year, or both, at the discretion of the court.

He said this is stated in Republic Act 7183 or An Act Regulating the Sale, Manufacture, Distribution and Use of Firecrackers and Other Pyrotechnic Devices.

The license and business permit of manufacturers of illegal firecrackers shall likewise be canceled and their inventory and stock confiscated, Cuy said.

According to the law, the manufacture, sale, and use of the following firecrackers are strictly prohibited: piccolo or “scratch bangers”, pop pop, Goodbye Philippines or Crying Bading, Yolanda or Goodbye Napoles, Watusi, Pla-pla, Giant Kuwitis, Watusi or “dancing firecrackers,” Super Lolo, Atomic Big Trianggulo, Mother Rockets, Lolo Thunder, Pillbox, Boga, Big Judah’s Belt, Big Bawang, Kwiton, Bin Laden, Kabasi, Atomic Bomb, Five Star, Og, and Giant Whistle Bombs.

All firecrackers with gunpowder exceeding two grams or 1.3 teaspoons are also banned.

Cuy said allowable consumer pyrotechnics or ‘pailaw’ may be used outside places of residence.

“Naglabas naman po tayo ng listahan ng mga firecrackers o pailaw na puwedeng gamitin. Huwag na po tayong gumamit ng bawal kung ayaw ninyong maperhuwisyo sa paglipas ng Bagong Taon,” he said. 

Only the following firecrackers and pyrotechnics are allowed: baby rocket, bawang, small triangle, pulling of strings, paper caps, el diablo, sky rocket (kwitis), sparklers, luces, fountains, jumbo regular and special, mabuhay, Roman candle, trompillo, airwolf, whistle device, and butterfly. —KG, GMA News