Lacson-Sotto: Regulated local fireworks industry to end reliance on Chinese pyrotechnics

SAN RAFAEL, Bulacan — Partido Reporma chairman and standard-bearer Panfilo “Ping” Lacson and running mate Vicente “Tito” Sotto III seek to regulate the local fireworks industry so it supports their organized, responsible and safe production and use, as well as end the country’s reliance on imported pyrotechnics from China.

Lacson and Sotto expressed this as they arrived in San Rafael, Bulacan on Saturday (November 27) for another leg of their “Online Kumustahan” tour.

Partido Reporma senatorial candidate Dr. Minguita Padilla, who joined the tandem in their weekend sortie north of Manila, agreed with the longtime public servants and said fireworks should be regulated, not banned, in the interest of public health.

Bulacan is the birthplace of the Philippine fireworks industry, and currently features over 500 manufacturers across the province. Started by the Sta. Ana family in the town of Sta. Maria in the mid-1800s, the industry later spread to the towns of Bocaue, Baliuag, San Rafael, San lldefonso, Norzagaray and Angat.

However, the current government has adopted a “total ban” policy on firecrackers and pyrotechnics devices, affecting the livelihood of 150,000 families or 750,000 individuals working in the industry nationwide, and 100,000 persons in the province alone, according to the Bulacan Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

“Maganda na bukod sa regulated, gawin nating organized, huwag maging indiscriminate. Kasi sa ngayon kanya-kanyang tapunan ng lebentador, kaya maraming aksidente, minsan may namamatay,” Lacson said in a press conference at the 8 Waves Resort in Brgy. Ulingao, San Rafael before the OK consultation.

[It would be better if besides being regulated, we make this organized, not make it indiscriminate. Because, as of now, we all want to use and throw our own fireworks, that’s why there are accidents and sometimes deaths.]

“Sa ibang bansa mas magandang pangitain na organized, bawat lugar merong napapanood. Halimbawa, dito sa bayan dito sa Bulacan, sa San Rafael, nanonood mga tao at nag-e-enjoy, pero safe kasi lahat ng safety nets nandoon, pareho rin ang level ng enjoyment,” the Partido Reporma chairman added.

[In other countries it looks nicer because they are organized, there’s a place where everyone can watch, which can be done here in Bulacan, here in San Rafael. People can all watch and enjoy, but be safe since all the safety nets are present, and their level of enjoyment is the same.]

“Palitan na natin ang kultura na tayo ang gusto magsindi, tayo magtatapon, kaya kung minsan sumasabog sa kamay,” the former national police chief said.

[Let’s end the culture of us wanting to light the firecracker and toss it (before it blows), that’s why sometimes they explode in the hand.]

Lacson added: “Huwag tayo mag-i-import galing China. Nandito ‘yan parang cottage industry, gamitin natin ang talent ng ating kababayan para sila ‘yung gumawa ng mga fireworks tuwing bisperas ng Bagong Taon, maski bisperas ng Pasko pwede rin.”

[Let’s not import from China. We have it here as a cottage industry. Let’s use the talent of our countrymen so they can make the fireworks for us for New Year’s Eve, even for Christmas Eve.]

This way, the longtime public servant said the fireworks industry will be better organized, will have a better presentation, and pyrotechnics workers won’t lose their jobs because they will be organized and will supply the country’s needs.

Sotto, the current Senate President, said the industry’s regulation is currently being discussed by lawmakers, and unless its displaced workers can be given new livelihood, he does not agree with its abolition.

Padilla, an adviser to the Department of Health, agreed with the veteran tandem “kasi maraming nabubulag, napuputulan ng daliri at kamay dahil sa uncoordinated and indiscriminate use, nakakainis pa sa kapitbahay. So, let’s make it maganda, safe, pero may trabaho pa rin ‘yung mga gumagawa.”

[A lot of people go blind or have their fingers or hands cut off owing to uncoordinated and indiscriminate use (of fireworks), and it irks the neighbors too. So let’s make it beautiful, safe, but keep the jobs for our workers in the industry.]

Lacson-Sotto: Regulated local fireworks industry to end reliance on Chinese pyrotechnics
Source: Philippines Clips