> r i t a l r
pf th i> > v f if t . n ,
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
]
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
]
F irst R egular Session 
]
S.B. No
SENATE
1140
*16 
SEP 13 
P 6 :34
RT
In tro d u ced  by SEN. WIN GATCHALJAN
AN ACT
BANNING THE SALE, DISTRIBUTION, AND USE OF ! IRECRACKERS AND 
OTHER PYROTECHNIC DEVICES, PROVIDING PENAL TIES FOR VIOLATIONS
THEREOF
EXPLANATORY NOTE
To quote from a report of the Department of Health, mere were a total of 1,018 
firework-related injuries at U^e beginning of the year 2014, OA'nng to the end of the year 
revelry. This is 73 cases or 8% higher than the five-year (2('08-2012) average and 87 
cases or 9% higher compare 1 to the same period last year. Majority of the cases, or 
58%, were from NCR, followed by Region 4-A with 80 cases and Region 6 (V/estem 
Visayas) with 73 cases. In NCR, Manila had 215 cases or an equivalent of 37%, in
Quezon City 130 cases or an equivalent of 22%, in MandaUiyong 45 or 8%, Marikina
«
with 37 or 6%, and Las Pina ? 36 or 6% reported the most num ber of injuries. Of this 
number, 250 cases or an equivalent of 25% were children >i ss than 10 years old and 
376 cases or 38% were caus* d by the banned piccolo.
Every year, we endure he pollutants caused by the use of firecrackers to welcome 
the New Year. We see news flashes of countless injuries, especially to the hapless 
children. Until when should we allow this cycle of perils to our health and environment?


This bill proposes to amend Republic Act 7183, also known as “An Act Regulating 
the Sale, M anufacture, Distribution and Use of Firecrackers and other Pyrotechnic 
Devices”, to ban the sale and uses of the firecrackers ami pyrotechnics except for 
authorized fireworks displays.
We do not wait for another year and some more injuries to stress the importance 
to revisit the relevance of the law today. We m ust protect our j'eople from traditions that 
are inimical to public health and safety. Hence, support for this bill is earnestly sought.
N GATCH


SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
]
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
J
F irst R eg u lar Session 
]
^ c iu jf r
* 
pf thp 
rrrpt.Tf y
*16 SEP 13 P6:34
S.B. No.
SENATE
1140
r^Y:
In tro d u c e d  by SEN. WIN GATCHALIAN
AN ACT
BANNING THE SALE, DISTRIBUTION, AND USE OF FIRECRACKERS AND 
OTHER PYROTECHNIC DEVICES, PROVIDING PENAL TIES FO R  VIOLATIONS
THEREOF
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Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assem bled:
SECTION 1. S h o rt Title. -  This Act shall be known as the “Firecracker 
Prohibition Act of 2016. ”
SEC. 2. D eclaratio n  o f Policy. — The m aintenam  e of peace and order, the 
protection of life, liberty, and property, and promotion of the general welfare are 
essential for the enjoyment by all the people of the blessings of democracy. To this 
end, the State aim s to ensure the safety of the people by regulating sale, distribution, 
and use of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices and specifying the areas where 
firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices may be used.
SEC. 3. P ro h ib ited  A cts. -  Except as provided for t nder Section 4 of this Act;
a) It shall be unlawful for any person or business establishm ent to m anufacture, 
sell or offer for sale, distribute, possess or use an}' firecracker or pj'rotechnic 
device or such other similar devices.


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b) It shall likewise be unlawful for any person to discharge or explode, or cause 
to discharge or to explode, any firecracker, or any other explosive or to use 
any pyrotechnic device or any such other similar device.
SEC. 4. E xception on th e  p ro h ib itio n  o f F irec ra c k ers. -Any corporation or 
entity that requires the use of fireworks and other pyrotechnic devices for its 
fireworks display shall apply for a special permit from the PNP-FEO.
Upon presentation of the special permit, the Local Government Unit (LGU) 
concerned may only allow fireworks in areas specifically designated and authorized 
by the Local Government Unit (LGU) where it will be held. Provided, That the 
fireworks display shall be done only by professionals who are technically equipped 
with skills and knowledge on the use of firecrackers.
SEC. 5. P en alties. -  Violation of any of the provisions of Section 3 of this Act 
shall be penalized as follows:
a) For the first offense, a fine of One Thousand Pesos (PI,000.00) or 
im prisonm ent of not more than One (1) m onth but not less than twenty 
(20) days, or both fine and im prisonm ent at the discretion of the Court;
b) For the second offense, a fine of Three Thousand Pesos (P3,000.00) or 
im prisonm ent of not more than Three m onths but not less than One (1) 
m onth, or both fine and im prisonm ent, at the d'seretion of the Court;
c) For the third offense, a fine of Five Thousand Pesos (P5,000.00) or 
im prisonm ent of not more than Six (6) m onths Out not less than Three (3) 
m onths, or both fine and im prisonm ent, at the liscretion of the Court.
If the violation is committed by a business establishm ent, the Prebident 
or General Manager or the person, acting in behalf of either the President or 
General M anager shall be held liable in the case of corporation or partnership, 
or the owner or proprietor or the person acting u\ his behalf shall be held 
responsible in the case of a single proprietorship.
In addition to the foregoing penalties, th j business perm it of the 
business establishm ent shall be cancelled by the Cicy Mayor of the LGU where 
it is located, upon the commission of the third offcr.se.
SEC. 6. Im plem enting R ules a n d  R egulations. -  W ithin sixty (60) days from 
the effectivity of this Act the Secretary of the Interior and Local Government shall, 
after public hearing and consultation with the various stakeholders in the


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firecrackers and pyrotechnic industry and representatives of LGUs, prom ulgate the 
necessary rules and regulations for the effective im plem entation of this Act.
SEC. 7. S e p a ra b ility  C lause. -  If any provision or part thereof is held invalid 
or unconstitutional, the rem aining parts or provisions not affected shall rem ain in 
full force and effect.
SEC. 8. R epealing C lause. -All laws, presidential decrees or issuances, 
executive orders, letter of instruction, adm inistrative orders, rules, and regulations 
contrary to or inconsistent with the provision of this Act are hereby repealed, 
modified, or am ended accordingly.
SEC. 9. E ffectivity C lause. -  This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after 
its publication in the Official Gazette  or in a new spaper of general circulation.
Approved.