MANILA, Philippines — The country’s largest manufacturer of fireworks has appealed to the government for the strict implementation of existing laws pertaining to fireworks and firecrackers to help the government in its campaign to reduce the number of injuries recorded during the celebration of New Year’s Eve.

Speaking at the first Kampanya Kontra Paputok summit organized by the Department of Health (DoH), Jovenson Ong, Managing Director of Dragon fireworks incorporated said law enforcers and the public should be strict in checking for the Philippine Standard (PS) mark on fireworks and firecrackers as products that bear the PS mark have been certified safe and were made following the standards set by the DTI.

“If we will ban the use of fireworks, we will close shop because we follow the law. The illegal traders of fireworks will benefit from that,” Joven told the attendees of the summit that included representatives from regional hospitals, manufacturers of pyrotechnics and firecrackers, representatives of non-government organizations and representatives of local governments.