Malacañang ready to work with Congress to regulate firecrackers

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – Malacañang is ready to work with Congress in crafting a law that addresses firecracker-related injuries reported annually, officials said on Friday, January 2. 

The Department of Health (DOH) said on Friday 593 cases of fireworks-related injuries have been reported following New Year’s Eve celebrations. The number is lower than last year, but amputations — especially among children — increased.

More than half or 55% of the cases were attributed to illegal fireworks, but the rest were caused by legally sold ones, according to DOH. The Philippine National Police (PNP), in a Janary 3 report, also attributed 8 fires to fireworks.

The DOH asked President Benigno Aquino III to prioritize the passage of a bill “imposing a total ban on the use of firecrackers in the country.”

However, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr said that such proposal must be studied first since there are existing laws that regulate the use of firecrackers.

The Philippines passed Republic Act 7183 in 1992, a law which regulates the “sale, manufacture, distribution, and use of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices.” 

“At dahil ang patakaran ay inihahain at tinatalakay at pinagpapasyahan sa Kongreso, hihintayin natin ang magiging panukala ng mga mamababatas at handa namang makipagtulungan ang ehekutibo sa kanila sa pagbubuo ng isang mainam, katanggap-tanggap, at epektibong batas,” Coloma said.

(Since policies are filed, discussed, and approved in Congress, we’ll wait for the action of lawmakers. The executive branch is ready to cooperate with them in crafting a good, acceptable, and effective law.)

House bills proposing stricter penalties and limitations on the use of firecrackers are pending in Congress.

Safer revelry

The government aims to make New Year celebrations safe, according to Coloma, urging families, national and local governments to work together.

“Madaling sabihin ‘yung total ban o ‘yung titigil na, pero sa tunay na paggawa ay kinakailangan pa rin ang sama-samang pagkilos at ang disiplina ng mga mamamayan para sumunod sa batas,” he added.

(It’s easy to say let’s impose a total ban, but we need the collective action and discipline of citizens in following the law.)

The Palace also praised the campaigns against the use of firecrackers, noting that it resulted in reduced number of injuries during the New Year revelry.

A total of 127,930 firecrackers were confiscated by the PNP from December 16, 2014 to January 3, 2015. Fifty-five persos were also arrested for selling illegal fireworks.

Aside from fireworks-related injuries, another yearly problems are the injuries or deaths resulting from stray bullets. A person has died and 54 others have been injured due to stray bullets as of Friday, the PNP reported.

As of Saturday, there were a total of 23 incidents of illegal discharge of firearms while 16 persons involved have been arrested.

In the Philippines, many civilians are able to carry firearms without legal registration. Coloma urged the PNP to focus at the grassroots level to prevent more cases of indiscriminate firing. — Rappler.com