SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga—About 130 producers and vendors of firecrackers, fireworks and other pyrotechnics in Bulacan must pass an ongoing five-day safety awareness training before they can make or sell their goods again, labor officials here said Tuesday.
Jerry Borja, labor information officer of the Department of Labor and Employment in Central Luzon, said the training is being conducted with the cooperation of Bulacan Gov. Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado, local police, and Bureau of Fire Protection officials.
The safety procedures the fireworks makers and vendors need to learn include health awareness at work, Borja said.
The pyrotechnics industry benefits about 100,000 people in Bulacan, while the government earns million of pesos in sales taxes and other fees.
Borja said the result of their training, which ends on Friday, is the basis for the government to lift the ban it imposed this month to prevent further deaths and property destruction for the people involved in the industry.
Earlier this month, three people, including two children, died in a firecracker explosion in Bocaue, Bulacan that also caused millions of pesos in damages.
Once they pass safety awareness training, Director Ana Dione, regional director of DOLE in Central Luzon, will recommend the lifting of their ban to Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello for his final decision.
Individual producers, as they pass the training, and not the whole group would be cleared, Borja stressed.
Alvarado urged the people directly or indirectly involved in the production of firecrackers to pass the training for their own good and interest.
The Bulacan government is now implementing a zoning program that separates the vendors from the producers in populated areas to prevent accidents or casualties.
Police and fire officials also warned the manufacturers, producers, and dealers to follow Republic Act 7183, which regulates the sale, distribution, and use of firecrakers, fireworks and pyrotechnics, especially during the holidays.
The pyrotechnics industry started in Santa Maria, Bulacan in 1867. Valentin Sta. Maria of Victory Fireworks pioneered the industry, and his descendants still maintain a store in Bocaue.