The Manila city government issued on Thursday, Dec. 28, Executive Order (EO) No. 36 regulating the manufacture, sale, distribution and use of firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices in the capital city.
The order, which states the necessary rules and regulations on firecrackers in the city, was signed on Thursday by Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan and took effect immediately upon issuance.
The city government said that it aims to protect the structures in the city from accidental fires and other negative impacts of sale and use of firecrackers.
It is also intends to protect the health and safety of all residents in the city during a fireworks and other pyrotechnic device display.
The order states that any fireworks display to be conducted in the city shall have special permits from the Bureau of Permits, which must be applied not less than three days before the event.
Private households are prohibited from staging their own fireworks displays.
Under the EO, the following types of firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices shall only be allowed during the community fireworks displays:
Firecrackers
- Baby rocket
- Bawang
- Small triangulo
- Pulling of strings
- Paper caps
- El diablo
- Judah's belt
- Sky rocket (kwitis)
- And other types equivalent to the foregoing in explosive content
Pyrotechnic Devices
- Sparklers
- Luces
- Fountain
- Jumbo regular and special
- Mabuhay
- Roman candle
- Trompillo
- Airwolf
- Whistle device
- Butterfly
- All kinds of pyrotechnic devices (pailaw)
- And other types equivalent to the foregoing devices
Meanwhile, the following firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices are prohibited as it could endanger life, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP):
- Super Lolo
- The Atomic Big Triangulo
- Mother Rockets
- Lolo Thunder
- Five Star
- Pla-pla
- Og
- Phillbox
- Piccolo
- Watusi
- Giant Whistle Bomb
- Big Judah's Belt
- Large Bawang
- Bosa
- Goodbye Philippines
- Goodbye Earth
- Bin Laden
- Coke in Can
- Kabasi
It also states that firecrackers with more than 0.2 grams of explosives, oversized with a short fuse, or those that detonate in less than three seconds but not more than six seconds are also prohibited.
Firecrackers without labels and those that contain sulfur or phosphorus combined with chlorates are also banned.
The order also lists the four classifications of firecrackers according to their proper use.
It says that fireworks under Class 1 are suitable for use inside domestic buildings and shall not cause injury to people standing one meter or more away. It also shall not cause damage to property.
Fireworks under Class 2 are those suitable for outdoor use in relatively confined areas. It shall not cause injury to people standing five meters or more away.
Fireworks under Class 3 are those suitable for outdoor use in large spaces. It shall not cause injury to people standing 25 meters or more away.
Class 4 fireworks are unsuitable for sale to the public, including partially assembled fireworks, which are specialist devices for use in major displays. It must not be sold to or used by the general public except for licensed pyrotechnicians and fireworks display operators only.
The order also stated the following safety guidelines for fireworks use and display:
- All lighted firecrackers or pyrotechnic devices that failed to explode or ignite must be gathered carefully by using stick brooms with a dustpan and placed inside a designated garbage drum or trash can.
- The designated drum or trash shall be used solely for unexploded firecrackers or unignited pyrotechnic devices, and related debris must be secured until collected by the area garbage collectors, who will dispose of them by means of burning at a designated safe place free from dried grass, flammable materials and away from populated areas.
- Firecrackers are not to be folded while lighting, do not hold the other end of the lighting stick nor light more than one device at a time.
- Fireworks are not to be altered in any way
- They should not be picked up or re-lit firecrackers in case of failure to ignite. Instead, the user shall pour water or tear away the device properly; and people should not bend directly over pyrotechnic devices like fountains and other similar devices while lighting them
- Users should not be used indoors and small children are prohibited from handling all sorts of fireworks.
- Fireworks should not be used near flammable substances or materials, nor should they be lit or thrown in the direction of people, passing vehicles, or combustible objects.
- Calcium carbide (kalburo) or other combustible liquids in firing toy cannons are prohibited.
Persons under the influence of liquor or alcohol are likewise prohibited from using or directing the use of the same. - Firecrackers under containers that will explode and produce splinters or shrapnel are likewise banned.
- "Kwitis" trompillo and similar firecrackers shall not be lit under electric wires.
Most of all, Manileños shall not delay seeking medical help as soon as possible in case of firecracker injury.
The city government said that penalties will be imposed on anyone who violates the order.
“Any person who manufactures, sells, distributes or uses firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices in violation of the provisions of Republic Act 7183 shall be made to pay a fine of at least P20,000 but not more than P30,000 or imprisoned for at least six months but not more than one year or both at the discretion of the court, in addition to the cancellation of the license and business permit and the confiscation by the government of the inventory or stock,” the order stated.
The local government will also ban or blacklist the person, association, organization, or fireworks supplier from future fireworks displays within the city if they violate the rules.