ORMOC CITY – The firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices ordinance of Ormoc City was approved by members of the 16th Sangguniang Panlungsod during its regular session at the SP Session Hall on July 30, 2024.
The ordinance seeks to regulate and control the manufacture, sale, and distribution of firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices; to regulate the use and display of firecrackers and
pyrotechnic devices; and to impose stricter sanctions and penalties to effectively enforce the ordinance. The said ordinance was crafted by its author and sponsor, SP Member Gregorio G. Yrastorza III, and its co-author, SP Member Nolito M. Quilang.
The ordinance lists down the common types of firecrackers that may be distributed, sold, and used that include baby rockets, bawangs, small triangulos, pulling of strings, paper caps, el diablo, Judas belts, sky rockets, and other firecrackers specifically approved or duly
authorized by the Philippine National Police (PNP). On the other hand, the allowed pyrotechnic devices are sparklers, luces, fountain, jumbo regular and special, mabuhay, roman candle, trompillo, airwolf, whistle device, butterfly, all kinds of pyrotechnic devices (pailaw), and other pyrotechnic devices specifically approved or duly authorized by the Philippine National Police (PNP).
The ordinance specifically stated that the determination of what constitutes prohibited firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices not included shall be vested with the Philippine National Police (PNP); and that all firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices declared by the PNP as prohibited shall also be adopted by the City as illegal.
The ordinance also made mention that fireworks displays conducted or sponsored by the city government during special public occasions such as city festivals, Chinese New Year, Christmas, New Year’s Eve, and other events shall be allowed, provided that the displays are conducted at a venue designated by the city mayor or duly authorized representative.
In addition, the ordinance provides that any person desiring to manufacture, sell or distribute firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices shall file his application for the issuance of license or business permit with the Chief of the PNP, through the city director of the city where the business or project is located; and that before any person or entity can sell or display legal firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices in Ormoc City, they must first secure a Fire Safety Inspection Certificate from Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and then proceed to get a Business Permit from the Office of the City Mayor through the Business Permit and Licensing Office (BPLO).
Finally, the ordinance provides that selling firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices outside the designated selling area shall subject the offender to a fine of not less than PHP5,000.00, or imprisonment of not less than three (3) months but not more than six (6) months, or both such fine and imprisonment, at the discretion of the court, in addition to the cancellation of their license and business permit and the confiscation by the government of their inventory or stock. By Gwen Maurillo (EV Mail July 29-August 4, 2024 issue)
