Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

3725

House Bill No. _

Introduced by Representative Arthur R, Defensor, Jr

EXPLANATORY NOTE

There is a promising fireworks industry in the country, that can be further
developed into an instrument in the Promotion of tourism, and as a continuing and
additional source of livelihood for many Filipinos. The fireworks industry contributes
to the countries commemorative traditions, and is instrumental in the enrichment of the
country’s cultural heritage. Owing to its tourism potential, there is a need for
government intervention in the development of the fireworks industry so that its
products pass international standards, and become competitive as to enhance the
tourism potentials of our commemorative traditions. While the important contributions
of the fireworks industry is recognized, there is a need to regulate the manufacture and
use of fireworks, in order to promote public health, safety and order.

Parenthetically, this bill entitled, “AN ACT TO PROMOTE AND REGULATE
THE FIREWORKS INDUSTRY IN THE PHILIPINES”, is likewise a Tesponse to the
clamor to, once again, ban the use fireworks, owing to the injury and damage it has
caused to people and property. Instead of banning fireworks, this Bill seeks to save the
industry, while improving it for developmental use, The highlight of this bill is the
limitation of fireworks use to community fireworks display only, conducted by selected
and trained personnel. The Bill likewise limits access of the general public to fireworks,
for their own safety,

The passage of this bill is strongly urged,

ARTHUR R. DEFENSOR, JR.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Sixteenth Congress
First Regular Session

3725

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representative Arthur R. Defensor, Jr.

AN ACT
TO PROMOTE AND REGULATE THE FIREWORKS INDUSTRY IN THE
PHILIPPINES

Section 1. Title.- This Act shall be known asthe “Fireworks Industry
Act of 2014”.

Section 2. Declaration of State Policies. - It is hereby declared that:
a. There is a promising fireworks industry in the country, that can be further

developed into an instrument in the promotion of tourism, and as a
continuing and additional source of livelihood for many Filipinos;

b. The fireworks industry contributes to the countries commemorative
traditions, and is instrumental in the enrichment of the country’s cultural
heritage;

c. Owing to its tourism potential, there is a need for government

intervention in the development of the fireworks industry so that its
products pass international standards, and become competitive as to
enhance the tourism potentials of our commemorative traditions; and

d. While the important contributions of the fireworks industry is recognized,
there is a need to regulate the manufacture and use of fireworks, in order
to promote public health, safety and order.

Section 3. The Fireworks Industry Development Program. - There shall be a
Fireworks Industry Development Program, hereafter referred to as the “Program”, that
shall serve as the strategic government program in the realization of the foregoing


policies, and shall include plans and activities to develop the tourism potential of the
fireworks industry in the country. The Program shall have the following components

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The creation of a fireworks industry inter-agency committee, hereafter
referred to in this Act as the “Fire Works Industry Inter-agency
Committee” or the “Committee”, for brief reference. The Committee shall
be composed of the Department of Science, Department of Trade and
Industry, Department of Health, Department of Interior and Local
Government, Department of Labor and Employment, and the Technology
Education and Skills Development Authority, The Committee shall,
within six (6) months from the date this Act shall have taken effect,
formulate and implement the Fireworks Industry Development Program.
The Committee shall likewise be in charge of the formulation and
implementation of such other policies, programs and regulations related
to the development of the fireworks industry;

Regulation of fireworks manufacture, sale and conduct of fireworks
display and similar activities;

A government facility for the acquisition of advance technology in the
manufacture and conduct of fireworks display and similar activities;

Financial and technical assistance to fireworks manufacturers in the
adoption of advance technology in the manufacture of fireworks, and the
maintenance of safety standards in their manufacture and sale;

Institutionalized integration of the fireworks industry with the tourism
industry programs of the government to enhance the tourism potential of

Philippine commemorative traditions; and

Skills development in the manufacture of fireworks.

Section 4. Power to promulgate administrative regulations. - The Committee shall
have the power to promulgate administrative regulations for the administration and
enforcement of the Program and this Act.

Section 5. Definition of Fireworks, - The term “fireworks” in this Act shall cover
“Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Devices” under Section 2 of Republic Act No. 7183, and
such other devices and effects as may be defined under administrative regulations
promulgated pursuant to the Program, and authorized under this Act.


Section 6. Manufacture and Sale of Fireworks. - The manufacture and sale of
fireworks shall be subject to licensing and accreditation by the Committee, and shall be
subject to such other qualifications under administrative regulations promulgated
pursuant to the Program, and authorized under this Act.

Reasonable fees may be charged for licensing and accreditation as mentioned in
the foregoing paragraph, to defray the cost of regulation.

Section 7. Conduct of Fireworks Display and Similar Activities. - Only local
government units and accredited private entities, such as, corporations, homeowners
associations , civic organizations, entertainment and recreation events organizers and
similar institutions whose organization and existence is subject to government
regulation, accredited by the concerned local government unit, shall be allowed to,
purchase and possess fireworks, and conduct fireworks display and similar activities, at
times and in places designated in accordance with administrative regulations
promulgated pursuant to the Program, and authorized under this Act.

The actual purchase, possession and conduct of fireworks display and similar
activities shall be undertaken by designated personnel of the concerned — local
government units and private entities as provided under Section 3 hereof, who have
undergone the proper training and accreditation under the Program.

Section 8. Penalties. The manufacture, sale, possession, or conduct of fireworks
display and similar activities in violation of this Act, and the administrative regulations
promulgated pursuant thereto, shall be punishable by imprisonment of not less than
one (1) year, but not more than three (3) years, and/or a fine of not less than five
hundred thousand pesos (P_5,000,000.00), but not more the one million pesos
(P1,000,000.00), at the discretion of the court. In addition, government license/s and/or
accreditation/s of the offender shall be cancelled, and the articles subject of the offense
shall be subject to forfeiture in favor of the government.

Section 9. Repealing Clause. The provisions of Republic Act No. 7183 shall
continue to have effect, in so far as they are not in conflict with the provisions of this
Act, but are hereby repealed when administrative regulations on the manufacture, sale
and conduct of fireworks display and similar activities, pursuant to the Program, and
authorized under this Act, shall have been promulgated.

Section 10. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved.