12.JAN 2015

FS hia
Republic of the Philippines ee Appt
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES \
‘Quezon City
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS.
Second Regular Session
wouse eno, D815

Introduced by Rep. Winston “Winnle”Castelo

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘A well-meaning newspaper columnist suggested an effective ban on firecrackers in order to prevent
‘mayhem resutting in the culmination.of the New Year's Eve celebration by most of us who have been used to buying
firecrackers and pyrotechnics unmindful of thalr dangers to life and limb,

This measure therefore attempts to second that proposal.

Under the bill's intent, violators wil be imposed the higher penalties and fines amounting to no less than
500,000 to not more than P1,600,000 i found guity of the manufacture andlor sale of what are defined as “unsafe”
firecrackers and pyrotechnics as those causing serious injury, harm and possible death upon the individual that uses
these fireworks. In fact, this measure makes equal ragard to factories and outlets or stores that sel these otherwise
unsafe or dangerous products

Inasmuch as governance under our system is decentralized, it is hereby enjoined that local government
units in their respective jurisdictions and teritoris shell strictly monitor the prohibitive intent ofthis measure against
those who otherwise witfully violate ban on the manufacture andlor sale of unsate firecrackers or pyrotechnics.

itis the humble view of this author that “unsafe” firecrackers din the shelves of stores or
clandestinely with prospective buyers actually constitute set6us danger waiting to happen. upon those who might
knowingly or unwitingly buy them from those who manyfaGture or sell them in open markets,

Firecrackers or pyrotechnics that generally explode in flight and in the sky in a kaleidgscope of colors and
sounds shall be generally regarded as the sAfe fireworks consistent however with appropriate prescribed
specifications as those issued jointly in a memdrandum by the Philippine National Police and the Department of


Republic ofthe Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
Seoond Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 53 15

Introduced by Rep. Winston “Winnle”Castelo

AN ACT
BANNING MANUFACTURE AND/OR SALE IN STORES OF UNSAFE FIRECRACKERS/PYROTECHNICS
THEREBY MOBILIZING COGNIZANT LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS TO STRICTLY IMPLEMENT SUCH BAN IN
ACCORDANCE WITH HIGHER PENALTIES/FINES IMPOSED FOR VIOLATION THEREOF AND FOR OTHER:
PURPOSES

Be it enacted in the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Republe of the Phillopines in Congress
assembled:

SECTION 4, This Act shal be known as the ‘Pyrotechnics Industry Safety Guidelines Act of 2044’,

SEC. 2, Under this Act, unsafe" firecrackers or pyrotechnics shall hereby be defined as causing serious
injury, harm, and possible deaths upon the individual and generally refer to such fireworks other than those that
‘explode in fight and in the sky ina Kaleidoscope of colors and sounds,

Further technical specication shail heretofore be accordingly issued by the Firearms and Explosives Unit of
the Philippine National Police and the Department of Health in an appropriate joint memorandum for implementation
prescribing only see firecrackers and pyrotechnics for manufacture and sale

SEC. 3. There shall hereby be prescribed higher penalties and fines amounting to P500,000 to P1,500,000
for violation thereof as would be validated by joint Philippine National Police and Department of Health Inspection
Team,

‘SEC. 4, This Act shal take effect upon approval and publication in the Official Gazette

Approved,