Owner forced to stop business after death of 8-year-old boy in fireworks accident
Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza has cancelled the business permit of the pyrotechnic manufacturer whose rockets accidentally exploded during a fiesta and killed an 8-year-old boy in Cordova town.
The revocation order dated Oct. 2 was issued four days after the death of Sam Monteron.
The boy was watching the fireworks display of the parish with other spectators when a “Bombshell” was launched in the sky.
One of the cylinders fell on its side and instead of being launched straight up, was fired horizontally and hit the boy in the belly about 15 meters away.
The order was received on the same day by business owner Juliet M. Wahing of barangay Babag, Lapu-Lapu City.
The order stated that the accident in Purok 3 near the barangay hall of San Miguel showed that the manufacturer failed to show prudence in observing safety measures.
Parents of the grade 1 pupil said their eldest son was excited that day because it was the barangay fiesta and birthday of his younger brother.
He was watching the fireworks with his father after Mass on the eve of the fiesta when the tragedy occurred.
The boy was buried on Thursday after his parents reached an amicable settlement with the pyrotechnics maker, who took care of burial expenses and provided financial assistance.
Wahing, a former resident of San Miguel, was the parish committee’s annual provider of fireworks for the barangay fiesta. Two of her workers mounted and launched the fireworks.
An investigation later showed that Wahing had a business permit but failed to renew her license from the Civil Security Group of the Philippine National Police for the manufacture of firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices.
With the cancellation of her business permit issued on Jan. 14, 2015, Wahing was ordered to immediately stop operating her business. Wahing may be issued another permit once she complies with neededrequirements, the mayor said.