Stiff fines, imprisonment await those using illegal firecrackers

As New Year celebration approaches, the government has threatened to impose fine or imprisonment against those who would be caught proliferating or using illegal firecrackers and pyrotechnics.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Thursday stressed the seriousness of the regulations against firecrackers.

“Taon-taon ay nag-aabiso tayo sa publiko tungkol sa pagbebenta at paggamit ng paputok. Kaya pasensyahan po tayo kung kayo ay mahuhuli at mapapatawan ng kaukulang parusa o makakaloboso,” DILG officer-in-charge Catalino Cuy said in a statement.

(Every year we advise the public regarding the sale or use of firecrackers. We are just sorry for those who will be caught.)

“Naglabas naman po tayo ng listahan ng mga firecrackers o pailaw na puwedeng gamitin. Huwag na po tayong gumamit ng bawal kung ayaw ninyong maperhuwisyo sa paglipas ng Bagong Taon,” Cuy said.

(We have issued a list of firecrackers or pyrotechnics that are allowed. So don’t ever use those that are prescribed illegal if you don’t want to be inconvenienced this New Year.)

According to the DILG, the following firecrackers are prohibited: Piccolo or “scratch bangers,” pop pop, Goodbye Philippines or Crying Bading, Yolanda or Goodbye Napoles, Watusi, Pla-pla, Giant Kuwitis, Watusi or “dancing firecrackers,” Super Lolo, Atomic Big Trianggulo, Mother Rockets, Lolo Thunder, Pillbox, Boga, Big Judah’s Belt, Big Bawang, Kwiton, Bin Laden, Kabasi, Atomic Bomb, Five Star, Og, and Giant Whistle Bombs.

All firecrackers with gunpowder exceeding two grams or 1.3 teaspoons were also banned, Cuy said.

Meanwhile, the department said only the following firecrackers are allowed: Baby rocket, bawang, small triangle, pulling of strings, paper caps, el diablo, and sky rocket (kwitis), sparklers, luces, fountains, jumbo regular and special, mabuhay, Roman candle, trompillo, airwolf, whistle device, and butterfly.

The DILG official said they would deal with persons who refuse to abide by the law and regulations, citing Republic Act 7183 or “An Act Regulating the Sale, Manufacture, Distribution and Use of Firecrackers and Other Pyrotechnic Devices.”