All firecracker makers in city unlicensed
Practically all of the firecracker manufacturers in Arevalo district, the city's firecracker center, are illegally operating.
This was learned from the Firearms Explosive Security and Agency Guards (FESAG) in Camp Delgado which disclosed that no firecracker manufacturer have applied for a license at their office.
In Negros Occidental, 37 have applied for licenses while one each has applied from Capiz and Aklan.
Under Republic Act 7183, the law which regulates the manufacture and sale of firecrackers and pyrotechnics a manufacturer should pay an annual fee of P2,500 and dealers license for P500. They have to file their application before the FESAG office.
They should also posses permit to import explosive ingredients, permit to unload explosive ingredients (solid form), permit to purchase explosive ingredients and permit to transport pyrotechnics and firecrackers.
Dealers or manufacturers, distributors and users of firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices should also follow safety precautions, rules and regulations. A zone shall be designated by the local government unit where manufacturing complex may be established. The other perimeter of this zone shall be at least 300 meters away from the nearest residential unit. Once a zone has been defined, no residential units shall be permitted nearer than the 300 meters from the perimeter of such zone.
All buildings shall have adequate ventilation, no concrete floors, must be leak proof and furnished with necessary fire extinguisher. The warehouse must also be at least 50 meters away from the processing station of the complex.
The processing stations of the complex shall be laid out according to the prescribed minimum distance from each other with all sides open. The mixing area should be 50 meters, grinding area should be 40 meters, packaging 40 meters, 'mamitsa' 20 meters and loading 20 meters.
The manufacturers are prohibited to manufacture, sale, distribute and use types of firecrackers and pyrotechnics with explosive content of more than 1/3 teaspoon of powder that could endanger the life and limbs such as atomic 'triangulo' and 'super lolo.'