It’s back to normal operations for at least 48 fireworks manufacturers and dealers in the town of Bocaue, Bulacan and other parts of Bulacan after the Department of Labor and Employment lifted its work stoppage order on Thu, Dec 8, on several stakeholders of the local fireworks industry.
The Philippine Pyrotechnics Manufacturers and Dealers Association, Inc. (PPMDAI) said that local manufacturers and dealers have complied with the requirements of the labor department.
However, the long shutdown has affected local stakeholders because their products should have been selling since the last week of November.
Local dealers also expressed apprehensions that the prices of fireworks would skyrocket because the supply will be low and there will be high demands.
“It was stopped when the production was at its peak due to the high demand for the coming Yuletide season,” said Engineer Celso C. Cruz, chairman emeritus of PPMDAI.
Some local manufacturers also aired apprehensions that smuggled firecrackers could flood the local markets due to the low supply.
Last Nov 24, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) issued a work stoppage order to all establishments engaged in the manufacture and sale of pyrotechnics and firecrackers nationwide.
DOLE chief Silvestre Bello III issued the order after two persons were killed and 24 others were injured when an explosion occurred in a fireworks shop in Barangay Biñang 1st in Bocaue town last Oct 12.
Another blast occured at the AA Fireworks Barangay Pulong Buhangin, Sta. Maria where three persons were killed and six others were injured last Nov 23.
Bello directed the DOLE regional director, the Occupational Safety and Health Center and the Bureau of Working Conditions to assess compliance with the occupational safety and health standards and general labor standards of the establishments.
Then, last week, Governor Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado called a meeting between stakeholders of the industry, the DOLE Regional Office led by Atty. Ana Dione, the Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection and other concerned agencies to come up with proposal that aims to make the production, sale and use of fireworks safe.
Alvarado said that the safety and general welfare of the people is of utmost importance but the livelihood of thousands of families dependent on the industry should also be given due consideration.
The governor said that they should convince President Rodrigo Duterte and Congress that the production of quality fireworks and pyrotechnics devices is safe.
He also instructed the Bulacan Police to intensify their crackdown against clandestine shops particularly those engaged in making oversized and killer types of firecrackers. —Philippine News Agency (PNA)
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