SAFETY FIRST. Regional DOLE Director Exequiel Sarcauga repeatedly issues this reminder in a
dialogue with firecracker dealers and makers (CDN Photo/Lito Tecson).
Fireworks makers and dealers in Barangay Babag, Lapu-Lapu City were told to comply with occupational safety and health standards as requirement to lift the stoppage order issued to all pyrotechnic makers in the country.
Regional Director Exequiel Sarcauga of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) issued the reminder in yesterday’s dialogue with the makers and dealers of fireworks at the Babag sports center.
“Our office, the police, Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and local governments will have our own assessments, and we will consolidate these findings and submit them to Labor Secretary Silverstre Bello,” Sarcauga told reporters.
If they are proven to be compliant, Sarcauga said Bello may lift the stoppage order he issued to all pyrotechnics dealers nationwide last Nov. 24 following the explosions that rocked pyrotechnics makers in Bulacan.
Sarcauga said fireworks manufacturers must at least secure a license to sell from their local council and secure safety permits from the police and BFP.
Babag barangay chairperson Epifania Augosto said the stoppage order affected 9,600 persons or 40 percent of the 24,000 residents of Barangay Babag who were employed by the firecrackers trade.
Babag has five puroks named Purok Super Sunlight, Shooting Star, Rambo, Judas Belt and Five Star that manufacture and deal in pyrotechnics.
There are three licensed fireworks manufacturers in the barangay — the Rambolets Pyro Corp., Babag councilman Elias Berdin and Avila Firecracker Pyrotechnic Manufacturing.
“Nahugno mi paggawas sa order (We were distressed when the order was released),” said Florido Baraquel, president of Rambolet Pyro Corp.
Rambolet Pyro Corp. began in 2011 and is a project of Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza.
Baraquel said their company employs 43 people who are given a weekly capital of at least P5,000 to produce assorted fireworks.