‘Discayas,’ ‘Zaldy Co,’ ‘Sen. Imee’ now part of banned firecrackers

National

AS HOLIDAY celebrations draw near, authorities have expanded the prohibited list of fireworks to include new firecracker brands bearing the names “Discayas,” “Zaldy Co,” and “Sen. Imee.”

The newly banned items joined a roster of dangerous pyrotechnic devices already outlawed under Republic Act 7183 (RA 7183) and Executive Order 28 (EO 28), which regulate the sale, manufacture, distribution and use of firecrackers nationwide, a report by Inquirer.net stated.

Past enforcement efforts warned that some traditional explosives — such as “watusi,” “piccolo,” “atomic bomb,” “giant bawang,” and other oversized or unlabelled firecrackers — pose serious risks due to excessive gunpowder content, improper fuses, or poor labeling.

Authorities emphasized that the law only permits certain fireworks and pyrotechnics — such as sparklers, fountain fireworks, and other certified “pailaw” devices — which meet regulated safety standards.

Local police units, including regional offices in Central Visayas, have reminded the public that those caught manufacturing, selling, or using prohibited firecrackers face serious penalties under RA 7183 — including fines between ₱20,000 and ₱30,000, and/or imprisonment for six months to one year.

Beyond individual enforcement, authorities continue to crack down on illegal production and distribution networks — including online vendors. Recent operations by the Philippine National Police-Anti Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) have resulted in confiscations and takedowns of platforms selling banned firecrackers.

Police and fire-safety officials urged communities to support regulated fireworks displays instead of buying uncertified firecrackers — a move seen as key to preventing firework-related injuries and fires, especially during the Christmas and New Year season.(Victoria Diana USJ-R, Comm Intern)