FIFTEE;NTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
10 JLl 19 #Ito :31 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
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The Constitution, Article 2, Section 5 provides that: 
SEC. 5. The maintenance of peace and order, the protection of life, 
liberty, and property, and promotion of the general welfare we 
essential for the enjoyment by all the people of the blessings of 
democracy. 
Following this state principle, the state intends to protect the general welfare of the 
people by banning the use of fireworks iri residential areas. 
According to a news paper report, "while there were no reported deaths, 907 people, 
including children and bystanders, were. injured by firecrackers and celebratory gunfire during 
holiday revelries this year, up 48 percent from the same period in 2005. Of the total injuries 
recorded from December 21 to January 1, 870 were firecracker-related, 35 were due to stray 
bullets, and two were due to "watusi" (dancing firecracker) ingestion." 
. 
Acknowledging the sharp rise in injuries from 610 during the same period in 2005, 
Health Secretary Francisco Duque reiterated his plea for lawmakers to ban the use of firecrackers 
in residential areas. Heeding this call of the government's health officials, this bill aims to ban 
the use of firecrackers in residential areas. l 
I This bill was originally filed during 14" Congress, 1" Regular Session. 
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FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SEN~DL 
S.N-o. It),a 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor S~tiago 
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AN ACT 
TO BAN THE USE OF FIRECRACKERS IN RESIDENTIAL AREAS 
Be it enacted by the Senate an¢ the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known and cited as the "Firecracker Ban in 
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Residential Areas Act." 
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SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - The maintenance of peace and order, the protection 
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oflife, liberty, and property, and promotion of the general welfare are essential for the enjoyment 
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by all the people of the blessings of democracy. To this end, the state aims to ensure the safety of 
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the people by banning the use of firecrackers in residential areas. 
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SECTION 3. Total Ban on Use of Firecrackers in Residential Areas. - No firecracker 
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and pyrotechnic device may be used in residential areas as defined by the local zoning ordinance 
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of the local government unit involved. 
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SECTION 4. DeSignation of Common Firecraker Use Area. - For purposes of national 
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and local holiday celebrations, the head of the local government unit involved is authorized to 
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designate a common firecracker use area. The common firecracker use area should not exceed 
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Two Hundred (200) square meters and should be located in a nonresidential zone. In addition, 
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there can be only one common firecracker use area per barangay. 
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SECTION 5. Penalties. - Any person who violates any provision of this Act shall be 
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punished by a fine of not less than Ten Thousand Pesos (PI0,000.00) nor more than Fifty 
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Thousand Pesos (P50,OOO.OO), or imprisonment of not less than six (6) months nor more than one 
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(1) year, or both such fine and imprisonment, at the discretion of the court. 
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SECTION 6. Promulgation of Rules and Regulations for the Administration and 
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Enforcement of this Act. - The Philippine National Police shall be primarily responsible for the 
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administration and enforcement of this Act. It shall transmit all case for prosecution arising from 
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violations of this Act to proper government prosecutors for appropriate action. 
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The PNP is hereby authorized, after public hearing and consultation with the firecrackers 
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and pyrotechnic industry and representative of local government units, to promulgate rules and 
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regulations necessary to properly implement this Act. 
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SECTION 7. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part thereof is held invalid or 
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unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain 
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valid and subsisting. 
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SECTION 8. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees or issuances, executive 
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orders, letter of instruction, administrative orders, rules and regulations contrary to, or 
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inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, modified, or amended 
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accordingly. 
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SECTION 9. EffectiVity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following 
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its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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