By Paulo Loreto Lim

President Rodrigo Duterte recently signed Executive Order No. 28, which regulates the use of firecrackers and pyrotechnics.
According to the order, the new regulations will “minimize the risk of injuries and casualties” and limits the use of firecrackers to “community firework displays.”
Based on a Philippine Information Agency press release, “a display of fireworks qualifies as a community fireworks display if it is conducted as part of an event or celebration, under a trained person licensed by the Philippine National Police (PNP) and permitted by the city or municipal government.”
Notably, as mayor of Davao City, Duterte implemented a complete ban on the sale, manufacturing, use, and possession of firecrackers and pyrotechnics in the city in 2002.
Back in December 2016, a similar order, at the behest of the Department of Health (DOH), also regulated the use of firecrackers. However, it was reported, the original order endorsed a complete ban, but was later pulled back in an attempt to protect jobs.
At the time, Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon, Jr. vouched for a complete ban of firecrackers, along with voicing support for the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) order ending domestic production of firecrackers.
As a result, with New Year’s celebrations approaching, in Bacolod City, the rear of the Pope John Paul II Tower became the designated location for the display and sale of firecrackers./WDJ