BOCAUE, Bulacan—Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Police General Rommel Francisco Marbil assured Filipinos of safe pyrotechnic and fireworks products in welcoming the 2025 due to police efforts against illegal firecrackers and illegal online selling as he also assured Bulacan officials of support to the “Ingat Paputok” and not “Iwas Paputok” campaign, both to ensure the public safety and protect the firecrackers industry of the province.
Marbil was joined on Wednesday by Bulacan Gov. Daniel Fernando, chairman of the Bulacan Pyrotechnic Board, Vice Gov. Alexis Castro, Philippine Fireworks Association president Joven Ong, Philippine Pyrotechnic Manufacturers and Dealers Association Inc. (PPMDAI) president Lea Alapide and other police and local officials in a ceremonial inspection of firecracker products and briefing in a pyrozone area in this fireworks capital of the country.
Marbil said the inspection ensures that all firecrackers and pyrotechnics sold and distributed in Bocaue and in other key areas in the country are licensed and are manufactured in compliance with Republic Act 7183, the law on manufacture, sale and distribution of fireworks for the safety of the buying public.
Marbil also reiterates police protection to the industry by going after illegal manufacturers and sellers including the proliferation of illegal “online selling” platforms.
He said both the Civil Security Group (CSG) and the Anti-Cyber Crime Division of the PNP are continuously going after illegal manufacturers and illegal online sellers.
Police Maj General Leo Francisco, head of the CSG told NEWSCORE in an interview after the briefing that they are requesting the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to take down the websites and links of companies selling fireworks. Similarly, they also ask social media companies to also take down the accounts of netizens WHO also sell fireworks online.
“When it comes to major online shopping companies, we are asking them to fully cooperate and stop selling firecrackers and pyrotechnic products online,” Francisco said.
According to Marbil, online selling of firecrackers and pyrotechnics are not provided in RA 7183. “We are asking Congress to revise the law and include online selling and distribution. Those sold online did not pass police regulation and inspection, it is very unsafe for them to be sold and transported via online sale,” the chief PNP added.
He reminded every Filipino that pyrotechnic devices (pailaw) are safe to use outside the houses and only those firecrackers (pumuputok) are required under the law to be cracked in an exclusive firecracker zone.
“The police commitment in Bagong Pilipinas is to ensure the safety of every Filipino in using pyrotechnics and fireworks in welcoming the new year,” he said.
Ong reiterates the continuous unabated proliferation of illegal pyrotechnic and firecracker products, particularly those that are smuggled from other countries. “There are stores here that sell illegal products,” he said during the briefing.
Fernando once again reiterated for the manufacture, sales, distribution and usage of only those prohibited products not only to ensure public safety but also in helping promote and preserve the fireworks industry of Bulacan to help sustain the economic, cultural and tourism sectors of the province. “We do not want injuries for the welcoming of 2025 to increase, but to lessen. Our manufacturers are always reminded of the safety of production and the manufacture of only the legal and allowed types of pyrotechnics and firecrackers,” the governor said.
The governor also said that he is still waiting for the PNP review of the licenses to manufacturers and dealers which pending result hinders the operation of other Bulacan micro and small firecracker manufacturers to operate under. Memorandum Order 31 issued by former President Rodrigo Duterte in 2018 tasked the PNP to suspend the issuances of the said licenses for new applicants pending review of the existing rules in licensing to further ensure the safety in the manufacture, sales and distribution.
Castro reminded Bulakenyos to be responsible fireworks users. He said the fun, joy and brightness of the glittering fireworks are much loved and appreciated with laughter because of the peaceful and injury-free welcoming of the new year.
