Cops pushing for alternative to explosive firecrackers: aerial fireworks

Even cops, who are used to facing dangers and risks, are against using explosive firecrackers to welcome the new year. They instead urged the public to turn to an environment-friendly and colorful alternative to firecrackers: aerial fireworks. According to the Fireworks and Explosives Office (FEO) of the Philippine National Police (PNP), there have not yet been any recorded accidents due to aerial fireworks displays. "Mas safe iyon dahil isa lang ang magsisindi, isang beses lang sisindihan, tuloy-tuloy na iyon (It's safer because one person lights up the fireworks once and that starts the entire show)," said Joseph Elmer Bullong of the PNP-FEO. Bullong said aerial fireworks are considered more environment-friendly because they do not leave trash behind after being used, unlike firecrackers (piccolo, bawang, kwitis, among others) which leave behind sticks and paper wastes. The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) reminded the public that a permit must be secured two to three days before putting together an aerial fireworks display. Fireworks schedule around the country The public can watch fireworks displays in different locations around the country on these dates and venues: December 30 Riverbanks Center, Marikina Greenhills Night Market, San Juan SM City Cagayan de Oro SM City Iloilo December 31 SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City Plaza ng San Juan, San Juan Baywalk, Manila Araneta Center, Cubao, Quezon City Plaza ng San Juan, San Juan Powerplant Mall, Rockwell, Makati Subic Yacht Club, Olongapo City Makati City, which usually holds a city government-sponsored fireworks display, will not have one this year due to the gas leak in Barangay Bangkal in Makati. Pooling funds together The Department of Health (DOH) earlier encouraged the public to pool together funds for a communal fireworks in their neighborhoods instead of purchasing explosive firecrackers that usually injure children. The DOH, however, admitted that it would not be easy to eliminate the use of firecrackers because of its deep roots in Filipino culture. The DOH urged local government units to designate a fireworks and firecrackers area that is at least 100 square meters. Cost of fireworks shows Hans Ong, technical director of Dragon Fireworks Incorporated, a leading Philippine fireworks manufacturer, said a simple one-and-a-half-minute show with color variety, effects and a classic finale will cost about P10,000. More elaborate shows last for up to 20 minutes and can cost more than P100,000, Ong said. He said aerial fireworks shows have become popular in the country in recent years and that the demand for the fireworks shows has peaked in the last four to five years. "It's usually companies that get us to mount fireworks shows, but recently we've also been getting private individuals to mount shows in their houses for new year's eve celebrations," Ong said. Ong said the usual aerial fireworks displays last for about one and a half minutes to five minutes. Ong said Philippine-made fireworks are notable because the colors are intense and the designs are varied. He also claimed that locally-made fireworks are safer to use compared to China-manufactured ones. "Our fireworks are home grown Philippine-made, and the quality is very notable compared to Chinese alternatives," he said. "We set ourselves to a higher standard, and we do not use dangerous chemicals," Ong said, adding that the personnel who handle their fireworks for shows undergo training and are internationally certified. He also said Philippine fireworks are safer because they shoot up and burst much higher in the sky. Dragon Fireworks also puts together what they call a pyromusical show, or fireworks display choreographed to music. Pyromusical shows can last anywhere between three minutes (the length of a usual song) to 15 minutes. The expenses for musical fireworks displays usually also reach six figures. Health issues Meanwhile, a mother said her family does not use firecrackers anymore because it causes her son to have asthma attacks. Anne Falcon said, "My son is asthmatic, and he would have difficulty breathing because of the smoke that the firecrackers emitted." "I did not want to compromise his health just for a new year's tradition, so we stopped lighting firecrackers during New Year's eve," she said. "Now, we attend New Year's Eve parties every year and just watch fireworks in the sky. The fireworks are colorful and beautiful, and my kids really enjoy it," Falcon added. – VVP, GMANews.TV