CAMP GEN. ALEJO SANTOS, Bulacan, Philippines — Brisk business for the firecrackers and pyrotechnics industry this week, leading to New Year’s Eve, prompted on Monday Governor Wilhelmino M. Sy Alvarado to renew his call for strict compliance to quality regulations and safety measures.

Alvarado urged manufacturers in the province, particularly in Bocaue, to produce safe and quality products and strictly comply with government safety measures to prevent accidents in work places.

The governor also called up Senior Supt. Fernando H. Mendez Jr., Bulacan Police Provincial Office (PPO) director, to remind him to sustain the conduct of inspections at factories and stores selling firecrackers and fireworks.

Mendez assured Alvarado that the police drive to ensure utmost safety in firecracker factories and stores is being continued and that violators are being rounded up.

In a recent operation, illegal manufacturers of firecrackers in Sta Maria and Bocaue were conducted in which three men were arrested.

Mendez identified the suspects as Denmark Gumasing Ilagan, 19, of Lankagan, Bukidnon; Victor dela Cruz Pangan, 35; and Roberto Garcia, 56, both of Northville 5, Barangay Batia, Bocaue.

They yielded banned firecrackers composed of two sacks of “five-star,” "pla-pla,” and “cabasi;” 45 pieces of giant whistle bombs; 17 pieces of “Goodbye Philippines;” two pieces of “Ampatuan;” and 20 pieces of “Kwiton bombs.”

Various raw materials and tools for manufacturing firecrackers were also confiscated.

Earlier, Alvarado told Mendez to arrest illegal manufacturers, particularly those engaged in making banned and killer types of firecrackers and those employing minors.

Alvarado said that many people are also dependent on the local fireworks industry, which is one of the major industries identifiable with Bulacan.

“I believe our local manufacturers can produce safe and good quality fireworks like those being presented in aerial fireworks displays. It’s just a matter of proper management and discipline,” Alvarado said.

“There are safety regulations as stipulated in our law in manufacturing firecrackers which should be observed to avoid accidents,” said Alvarado.

He advised the public to buy only products with proper labeling which shows the name and address of the manufacturer.

Alvarado said that still, firecrackers and pyrotechnics are considered dangerous goods and should be covered by essential permits which strictly follow proper storage and shipment procedures. Bulacan is considered the “hub” of the pyrotechnics industry in the country.