Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
‘Second Regular Session

HOUSEBILL No. HESS

Introduced by HONORABLE LANI MERCADO-REVILLA

EXPLANATORY NOTE

legal firecrackers are regular commodities during Christmas and New Year celebrations
hhere in the country. Many Filipinos, largely influenced by Chinese tradition, believe that noisy
‘New Year's celebrations drive away evil and misfortune. But they have carried that superstition
to extremes, exploding huge firecrackers and firing guns to welcome the New Year despite
threats of arrest. In effect, it has also been 2 common occurrence that numerous individuals
suffer unfortunate injuries as 2 result of these firecrackers, while some of them suffer from
tetanus due to firecracker-related injuries.

From 2006 to 2010, an annual average of $36 cases had been reported, This past 2011
‘Christmas celebration and 2012 New Year festivities that followed (between December 21 and
January 3), the Department of Health (DOH) reported that 949 individuals were injured by
firecrackers and stray bullets during the Philippines’ long observance of the Yuletide Season.
According to the DOH, 916 were from fireworks and 28 from stray bullets. Five (3) cases were
due to fireworks ingestion.

It must be emphasized that majority of the vietims of injuries caused by firecrackers are
children. According to the 2006-2010 DOH report, out of the total 476 injured persons, 37
percent were children from as young as one (1) year old to 10 years of age and 27 percent
involved revellers aged 11 to 20 years old.

A 6-year old boy was killed while his father was injured after firecrackers accidentally
exploded inside tricycle in Norzagarsy, Bulacan. Victim John Ezekiel de Silva died after
firecrackers exploded inside the tricycle driven by bis father, Noli. They bought the firecrackers
from Bulacan’s firecracker hub of Bocaue, and were supposed to sell them ta in Nueva Ecija.

‘The DOH reported that # 9-year old John Joseph Gonzales of Cabanatuan City has died
from massive injuries from a firecracker explosion in the first known death from the recent
violent New Year. The 9-year-old boy packed 2 small can with explosive powder that he
collected from the debris of used firecrackers, which exploded and injured him seriously when
he threw it into flames. He died en route to Psulino J. Garcis Memorial Research and Medical
Center on New Year's Eve, while his 10-year old playmste, Roel Pobre lost his fingers and is
now hospitalized in the same hospital. One child whose eyes were hit by firecrackers, might end
up having an carly cataract. Two hospitals reported that among those injured were two children
whose hands were so badly injured that they might have to be amputated.

Hence, this bill is sought to impose stiff penalties to those individuals who sells or gives
firecrackers to minor children up to the age of 15.

In this regard, passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

vi

" District, Cavite



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by HONORABLE LANI MERCADO-REVILLA

AN ACT PENALIZING INDIVIDUALS WHO SELLS, GIVES OR IN ANY WAY
SHARES ANY TYPE OF FIREWORKS OR FIRECRACKERS TO MINOR CHILDREN
15 YEARS OLD AND BELOW

SECTION 1. It shall be unlawful for persons to sell, give or in any way share any type of
firework or firecracker to minor children 15 years old and below.

SEC, 2, Penalties - Any person found guilty of the punishable act herein shall be
punishable with imprisonment of prision correccional or a fine of at least Fifty Thousand Pesos
(P50,000.00) but not exceeding Two Fifty Thousand Pesos (P250,000.00) or both st the
diseretion of the court,

SEC. 3. Repealing Clause - All laws, decrees, presidential issuances, executive
orders, rules and regulations or parts thereof not consistent with the provisions of this Act
are hereby amended, repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 4. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part of this Act, or the application
thereof to any person or circumstance be held unconstitutional or be declared invalid, the
remainder of this Act shall not be affected thereby.

SEC. 5. Effectivity Clause - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following
the completion of its publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of
general circulation.

Approved,