Press Release
March 10, 2021

Dela Rosa to Customs: Do more against entry of illegal firecrackers

SENATOR Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa on Tuesday urged the Bureau of Customs (BoC) to level up its effort in stopping the entry of illegal firecrackers and firework products in the Philippines.

"I hope na seryosohin natin itong pagsawata ng pagpasok ng illegal na mga paputok," Dela Rosa told Atty. Wally Ann Yumul of BoC during the blended public hearing of the Senate public order and dangerous drugs committee, which he heads, in connection with his Senate Bill No. (SBN) 517, entitled "National Firecracker Regulation" and three other related bills separately introduced by Senate President Vicente Sotto III, and Senators Maria Lourdes Nancy S. Binay and Sherwin T. Gatchalian.

Dela Rosa said Republic Act (RA) 7183, entitled "An Act Regulating the Sale Manufacture, Distribution And Use of Firecrackers And Other Pyrotechnic Devices," prohibits the importation of the finished product fireworks.

"And yet pagdating sa Pasko, pagdating sa New Year, nakikita pa rin natin yung mga maraming tatak na Chinese na mga produkto na halatang galing China," he said.

Dela Rosa noted that the BOC had already turned over confiscated illegal fireworks to the Philippine National Police.

"We just would like to encourage you (BOC) to do more... Kung illegal na pumapasok dito, not necessarily namang dumadaan lahat sa Customs 'yan, marami d'yan dumirekta doon sa shorelines ng ating teritoryo. But still, sana kung may dadaan man d'yan sa inyo ay talagang masasawata ninyo at mahuhuli ninyo," he said.

The former Chief of the Philippine National Police said that such move from the BoC will help address the concern of local manufacturers whose businesses are affected by the smuggled firecrackers.

"Yun lang po, kasi umiiyak na yung mga local manufacturers natin dito na sila nako- control ng ating gobyerno, masyado silang nire-regulate. Pagdating d'yan sa mga imported na mga smuggled na illegal na paputok, nakakalusot at nagkakalat sa ating mga bentahan tuwing Pasko at New Year," Dela Rosa stressed.

Dela Rosa said the main goal of his SBN 517, which seeks to amend RA 7183, is to put an end to fireworks-related deaths and injuries, pointing out that "despite the strong partnership between the national government agencies and stakeholders in promoting safety, the misuse of these fireworks and other pyrotechnic devices is still rampant."

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