BOCAUE, Bulacan — Fireworks stakeholders in Bulacan are urging the Department of the Interior and Local Government to help first on the proper implementations of RA 7183 otherwise known as the Firecracker Law before proposing for the nationwide ban on firecrackers.

Lea Alapide, president of the Philippine Pyrotechnics Manufacturers and Dealers Association Inc. (PPMDAI), explained that the law was created in 1992 and 31 years later its provisions are not yet properly implemented.

Under the said law, its administrator is the Philippine National Police and local government units can help in its implementations, Alapide said.

But sadly, illegal fireworks manufacturers or those without necessary permits and licenses continue to exist leading to accidental explosions that cause loss of lives and injuries of the consumers to the detriment of the legitimate fireworks manufacturers, Alapide noted.

She said that by properly implementing the provisions of the law, accidents can be minimized if not eradicated.

On the other hand, Celso Cruz, chairman emeritus of PPMDAI, said that their group in coordination with the PNP has already come out with amendments to RA 7183 and came out with a revised implementing rules and regulations (IRR) in 2012 or 11 years ago.

However, the provisions in the said revised IRR are still not being properly implemented nowadays, Cruz lamented.

He also said that they have also proposed to lawmakers to create a national pyrotechnic regulatory board so that it can come up with proper regulations for the industry.

The board is to be composed of the PNP, industry stakeholders, Departments of Science and Technology, Trade and Industry, Health and other agencies so that it can come up with proper regulations for the fireworks industry, but until now no such board has been overseeing the fireworks industry, Cruz lamented.

He also said that their group has already come out with proper chemical formulations compared to the old formulations that use potassium chlorate, a volatile chemical ingredient that is susceptible to accidental explosions and come out with the more stable potassium perchlorate.

He added that they have already done their share to come out with effective proposals for the Firecracker Law, all it needs is proper implementations.

Photo: Mon Lazaro