In a circular issued last week, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has encouraged all cities and municipalities to pass ordinances and otherwise issue regulations banning the individual, personal or household use of firecrackers of any kind.
In addition, it urged local government units to restrict the use of firecrackers only to community fireworks displays that have a permit from the concerned LGU.
Cities and municipalities that already ban or restrict the use of firecrackers accordingly are reminded to strictly enforce their relevant ordinances and regulation, DILG Secretary Atty. Benjamin Abalos Jr. stated.
Memorandum Circular No. 2023-202 was issued by the DILG to remind LGUs to ensure the observance of peaceful, safe and orderly celebrations, especially with regard to the use of fireworks, considering the annual toll of firecracker-related injuries.
Under the suggested ordinance governing the use of firecrackers and pyrotechnics, the individual, personal or household use of firecrackers of any kind shall be banned.
It will be allowed only within designated Community Fireworks Displays within the designated Fireworks Zone, conducted on the occasion or as part of a celebration, competition or similar events, authorized by the municipality through a permit, in coordination with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).
The permit should specify the date and time of fireworks display and the specific area in which the display will be conducted, in conformity with national standards, rules and regulation.
In determining the fireworks zones, the LGU shall consider the following criteria: population within the area; availability of emergency medical staff or first aid responders and necessary tools and equipment; availability of firefighting equipment; safe distance of more than 100 feet (30 meters) away from residential areas; and such other factors which may be relevant to the safety of residents in the area.
Applications for permit to conduct Community Fireworks Display may be filed by a business establishment, homeowners’ association or other recognized community organizations.
In granting the permit, the LGU’s Public Order and Safety Office can implement safety standards such as the following: fireworks must be fired at a distance of at least 100 feet (30 meters) away from persons; all fireworks shall project skywards; a responsible person with sufficient fireworks handling and safety knowledge shall supervise the fireworks display; first aid and fire protection equipment (at the minimum, a fire extinguisher and a large drum filled with water) shall be on hand during the display; and the 5.The nearest fire station shall be notified at least 24 hours prior to the start of the event.
Aside from the usual business permits, fireworks dealers must obtain a clearance from the LGU, presenting the applicable PNP license.
They would be required to comply with the following safety standards: each stall must have a minimum of one (1) fire extinguisher and one (1) large drum filled with water; no smoking within 15 meters of any fireworks; no stoves, heaters, exposed flames or other fire hazards within 15 meters of any fireworks; no testing of any fireworks; no sales to minors; no storage or retail displays of the actual/physical fireworks inside malls or similar establishments; and, no sales of any fireworks totally banned by the PNP such as Super Lolo, Lolo Thunder, Atomic Bomb, Watusi, oversized or overweight firecrackers, and firecrackers with a fuse that burns in less than three (3) seconds or more than six (6) seconds
If approved, the ordinance would penalize violators with imprisonment of not more than six (6) months and/or a fine of not more than P2,500.00 at the discretion of the court, with the erring businesses to be subject to summary revocation of their business permit.
The imposition of such penalties is without prejudice to existing penalties and sanctions under Republic Act No. 7183 (Regulation and Control of Firecrackers and Pyrotechnic Devices) and other relevant laws and regulations.