Customers see increase in Bulacan firecracker prices

More than a month before New Year’s Eve, prices of several firecrackers and pyrotechnics have increased in Bocaue, Bulacan.

According to Cedrick Castillo’s report on “24 Oras” on Monday, Philippine Pyrotechnics Manufacturers and Dealers Association Inc. President Lea Alapide said that the increase in firecracker prices was caused by the shortage of chemicals.

“’Yung mga chemicals po in the first place, late din po na dumating dito sa atin. Nagkaroon din po ng aberya doon po sa China, for example. Nahihirapan din po silang magpadala dito. Apektado rin naman kami sa tuwing magtataas din po ‘yung mga gas, diesel,” Alapide said.

(Firstly, the chemicals arrived late. There was also a problem there in China, for example. They also had a hard time sending it here. We are also affected every time gas and diesel prices go up.)

“Apektado na rin po ‘yung papel na ginagamit. Ultimo stick na ginagamit… panali po na binibili na rin sa local market, tumaas din po,” she added.

(The paper used is also affected. The stick that is being used... and the string that is also being bought at the local market, have also increased.)

Alapide also mentioned that prices are expected to increase further as the holiday season approaches.

“Last year po tumaas naman din po ‘yung mga presyo kaya lang ‘yung latter part na po ng December. Unlike ngayon, medyo maaga pa lang, medyo nakataas na,” she said.

(Last year, the prices went up, but it’s only in the latter part of December. Unlike now, it's still a little early, but prices have increased.)

According to the price list obtained by GMA Integrated News, the price of 100 kwitis was between P800 to P1,000.

Before the pandemic, a bulk of kwitis would only cost P500.

Meanwhile, the price of lusis, which used to be P25 to P30 per ten pieces, was P50 to 60 these days.

The price of small fountains also increased to P90 compared to P40 before. Similarly, pyrotechnics these days ranged from P1,500 to P5,000. — Mel Matthew Doctor/DVM, GMA Integrated News