NARTATEZ CONDUCTS FIREWORKS SAFETY INSPECTION IN BULACAN

Acting Philippine National Police Chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. (right),  along with Bulacan Governor Daniel R. Fernando (left) and Police Regional Office 3 director Brig. Gen. Ponce Rogelio I. Peñones Jr. (not in photo), conducts an inspection of pyrotechnic stalls in Bgy. Turo, Bocaue, Bulacan to ensure compliance with safety regulations amid the holiday rush. The PNP has identified a list of prohibited firecrackers based on monitoring and warned illegal sellers that they may face penalties and imprisonment. Among those banned are watusi, piccolo, five star, large-size Judas belt, kabasi, boga, and dart bomb. Also prohibited are all overweight and oversized firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices (FCPDs), imported finished products, unlabelled locally made FCPDs, and other firecrackers with brands or names equivalent to those on the banned list. Under the law, the sale of illegal firecrackers  is punishable with fines ranging from P20,000 to P30,000 and imprisonment of six months up to one-year. Illegal sellers will also have their  merchandise confiscated by the police. Photo by KEVIN GALANG