PNP, Bulacan gov't inspect firecracker stalls in Bocaue ahead of holidays

Authorities on Monday inspected some stalls selling firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices in Bocaue, Bulacan ahead of the holiday revelries.

The Philippine National Police and Bulacan provincial government held a joint inspection in the country's fireworks capital as part of their bid to ensure public safety amid the expected rise in firecracker-related injuries during the Holidays.

"Lahat ng ito ay sinisiguro natin upang mapanatili ang peace and order as well as public safety (We are doing this to ensure peace and order as well as public safety). We would like to reduce 'yung risks of death, loss of property at firecracker incidents," said PNP Acting Chief Police Lieutenant General Jose Nartatez Jr.

Bulacan Governor Daniel Fernardo said the local government will push for the strengthening of small pyrotechnic businesses through the establishment of cooperatives and providing support for their licenses.

Fernardo also reminded the public to refrain from buying illegal firecrackers.   

"Kinakailangan unahin natin 'yung maliliit na negosyante... pinaparami natin ang pagtulong sa maliliit na negosyante kasi 'yan ang bumubuhay para sa ating mga negosyo," he said. 

(We need to strengthen small businesses. We are providing aid to them because they are the lifeline of the industry.)

A list of the prohibited firecrackers pyrotechnic devices was posted near the stalls.

The PNP’s Firearms and Explosives Office (FEO) earlier warned the public against the use of the following illegal firecrackers and FCPDs:

• Watusi
• Poppup
• Pla-pla
• Piccolo
• Five Star
• Giant Bawang
• Giant Whistle Bomb
• Atomic Bomb
• Large-size Judas Belt
• Super Lolo
• Goodbye Bading
• Lolo Thunder
• Atomic Triangle
• Mother Rockets
• Goodbye Philippines
• Goodbye Delima
• Goodbye Napoles
• Coke-In-Can
• Bin Laden
• Pillbox
• Kabasi
• Super Yolanda
• Boga
• Kwiton
• Hello Columbia
• Tuna
• GPH Nuclear
• Special
• Goodbye Chismosa
• King Kong
• Dart Bomb
• Other unlabeled locally made FCPD products
• Other types of firecrackers with other brands/names equivalent to those that are prohibited
• All overweight and oversized FCPDs
• All imported finished products

According to the FEO, FCPDs are also prohibited if they are overweight containing more than 1/3 teaspoon or over 0.2 gram of explosive content. Oversized FCPDs are also prohibited.

Firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices are also prohibited if they have mixed chemicals of sulfur and/or phosphorus with chlorates, according to the FEO.

The FEO noted that Class 1, 2, and 3 FCPDs are suitable for the general public but Class 4 should only be sold to licensed pyrotechnicians and fireworks display operators.

It also added that the fuse of the FCPDs should burn not less than three seconds but not more than six seconds.

The Department of Health earlier urged the Filipino youth to refrain from using firecrackers and opt for safer alternatives instead to usher in the upcoming Holiday season, including New Year 2026.—Sundy Locus/AOL, GMA Integrated News