DTI issues notices of violation vs 2 Bocaue fireworks retailers

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on Thursday issued notices of violation against two retailers in Bocaue, Bulacan for selling fireworks with counterfeit safety markings.

In Maki Pulido's report on 24 Oras, DTI uncovered the operations of two stores as the agency stepped up inspections in the so-called Fireworks Capital of the Philippines.

The manufacturer of these potentially hazardous items was also issued a notice of violation, the 24 Oras report said.

Products sold in the two stores were found to bear fake Philippine Standard (PS) Marks. DTI warned that counterfeit PS Marks and Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) stickers have been monitored in the local fireworks and firecracker market, thus the consuming public should take caution before making purchases.

Interviewed during the Bocaue inspection, Trade and Industry Asec. Amanda Nograles said, "Ang danger kapag ganu'n 'di nakakasiguro kung safe 'yun. Maaaring 'pag sinindihan 'yun, pumutok agad or maaaring sumabog nang makasira ng ng properties natin. So 'di dapat bumibili 'pag 'di lisensiyado."

(The danger of products without the PS Mark or ICC stickers is that we are not sure if these items are safe. It's possible that when we light them up, they explode instantly or cause damage to property. So we should not buy unlicensed firecrackers or fireworks.)

Over the years, the firecracker and fireworks trade in Bocaue has been resilient as buyers return regularly to patronize products sold in the area.

The government has been clamping down on the illegal retail of such products, especially with the New Year celebrations coming less than two weeks away.

For their part, the retailers denied having any intent to deceive customers into buying potentially hazardous items.

"In good faith po kami lahat kami dito na kapag nakita namin may PS mark, ibig sabihin approved sa DTI," said retailer Elizabeth Mendoza.

(All of us are acting in good faith here because when we see the PS mark on our products, we understand that these are approved by the DTI.)

According to the DTI, the PS Quality and/or Safety Mark and ICC stickers "serve as the consumers' guide and assurance that what they purchase are certified quality and safety products" conforming to the relevant Philippine National Standards (PNS). Regardless if these are locally manufactured or imported, retail products are required to bear the PS mark or ICC sticker before being distributed in the Philippine market.

Customers may verify the authenticity of the PS Mark by checking the indicated license number on the Bureau of Philippine Standards website. The ICC sticker may scanned for genuineness using an ICC mobile app.

Regarding the culpability of the manufacturer, Nograles said, "It's a violation of their license kapag nagma-manufacture sila ng models na wala sa approved ng list ng DTI."

(It's a violation of their license if they manufacture models that are not in the approved list of DTI.)

The 24 Oras report said firecracker prices are expected to rise next week with the influx of customers ahead of New Year's Eve celebrations.

Nationwide ban

Several retailers in Bocaue said they disagreed with the nationwide total ban on the use of fireworks and firecrackers as proposed by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

"Mawawalan kami ng trabaho. Alam niyo sa totoo lang, ang tindahang ito may naka-graduate dito na teacher, at saka food tech," said retailer Joan Yongco.

(We will lose our livelihoods. You know, this store produced graduates who became a teacher and a food technologist.)

According to GMA News Research, several cities in Metro Manila such as Marikina, Muntinlupa, Navotas, Makati, Malabon, and Mandaluyong have already approved ordinances banning fireworks and firecrackers.

Designated areas to light up these items have been set up in Quezon City, Caloocan, Manila, Parañaque, Pasay, Pasig, and Pateros.

Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police has released its list of prohibited firecrackers for New Year 2024.

PNP List of Prohibited Firecrackers

• Watusi
• Piccolo
• Poppop
• Five Star
• Pla-pla
• Lolo Thunder
• Giant Bawang
• Giant Whistle Bomb
• Atomic Bomb
• Super Lolo
• Atomic Triangle
• Goodbye Bading
• Large-size Judas Belt
• Goodbye Philippines
• Goodbye Delima
• Bin Laden
• Hello Columbia
• Mother Rockets
• Goodbye Napoles
• Coke-in-Can
• Super Yolanda
• Pillbox
• Boga
• Kwiton
• Kabasi
• Hamas

— VDV, GMA Integrated News