Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia recently approved the designated area for the sale of firecrackers and pyrotechnics at the north side of the Bacolod City Government Center, Ernie Pineda, Bacolod City Market Coordinating and Monitoring Task Force head, said yesterday.

Pineda said the area has been evaluated and recommended by the Bureau of Fire Protection and firecracker vendors have been selling there in the past two years.

Retailers have to undergo a seminar on product safety and proper handling of firecrackers and pyrotechnics and get a special permit from the city to become qualified retailers, he said.

Vendors caught selling outside the designated area will be penalized and their products confiscated, Pineda also said.

He said Leonardia also created a task force that will monitor and evaluate vendors selling firecrackers and pyrotechnics. Products will also be checked if they carry the Philippine Standards mark, he added.

He reminded consumers not to buy pyrotechnics without the PS marks to ensure safety.

In 2011, Department of Trade and Industry records showed only 10 accredited pyrotechnic manufacturers in the country. They are the Dragon Fireworks Inc.,Phoenix Fireworks,Nation Fireworks,Tiger Fireworks,and Pyro Kreations Fireworks, Platinum Fireworks Inc., all from Bulacan, and Wow Fireworks Manufacturing of Bohol.

Negros Occidental has only two licensed pyrotechnic manufacturers, which are the MADZ Fire Crackers and Pyrotechnics in Bacolod City and Mary P Diaresco Pyrotechnics Manufacturing in Hinigaran.*LTG

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