Bocaue mayor seeks fireworks manufacturers, vendors’ advice after fireworks blast

With an explosion that hit a number of fireworks stores there seen to boost a call for a ban on the product, Bocaue, Bulacan Mayor Joni Villanueva-Tugna on Thursday said she has consulted with fireworks manufacturers, store owners, and vendors on the matter. 

This is in light of President Rodrigo Duterte's earlier pronouncement that he is considering a nationwide ban on firework, opting instead for public fireworks display.

On Wednesday following the explosion that claimed two lives, the Department of Health said it is already drafting an executive order on the matter.

In an interview on Unang Balita, Villanueva-Tugna said she met with the sector's association on Wednesday, after the explosion that  caused an hours-long fire, razing three fireworks stores, a water station, a marketing office, and a sari-sari store.

"Kahapon ho matapos ang insidenteng ito, pinatawag na natin 'yung mga vendors at owners, manufacturers, buong asosasyon. Nagpulong-pulong na po kami, hiningin ko po sa kanila ang kanilang mga suhestiyon at proposal regarding po sa ganitong posibilidad na ibaba ng ating Presidente," she said.

Villanueva-Tugna said they support Duterte's drive for a safe and peaceful community, but also noted that the fireworks industry is a main source of livelihood in Bocaue.

"Tayo naman po ay nakikibahagi sa vision ng ating Presidente sa kampanya niya para sa isang ligtas at payapang pamayanan. Tayo rin po, on the other hand, kinikilala rin po natin 'yung livelihood ng ating mga kababayan dahil dito na po napag-aral, napakain ang ilang mga pamilya kaya ho 'yun ang kailangan nating balansehin," she said.

The mayor noted that the stores razed by the fire were legitimate stores that have been operating for years.

"Lehitimo po ito," she said. "Sila po 'yung matatagal na sa industriya, mula sa mga kalolo-lolohan nila," she said.

Aside from killing two people, the blast injured over 20 others.

One of those killed was identified as Manuel Ayala, owner of the sari-sari store, who rushed inside his house in a bid to save his family's belongings.

In her report aired on Unang Balita, GMA News' Victoria Tulad quoted the Bulacan Provincial Risk Reduction and Management Office as saying the other fatality has been identified as Gina Gonzales, who owns the store where the explosion reportedly began.

Their remains were taken to the Flavel Funeral Homes, the report added.

Villanueva-Tugna said they have coordinated with the victims' families to assist them in funeral arrangements.

The local government will also extend assistance to those who were injured, she added.

Meanwhile, Tulad's report on Unang Balita said authorities still cannot confirm the cause of the explosion, with investigation still ongoing.

Some materials were still found burning at past 11 p.m. inside the compound where the blast happened, but the Bureau of Fire Protection in Bocaue assured that the fire will no longer spread.

An explosion from the blast site was reported at 8 p.m.

The residents, however, were worried that their belongings and destroyed cars would be stolen, the report said. — Rose-An Jessica Dioquino/RSJ, GMA News