Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 7183)
The primary purpose of Republic Act No. 7183 is to regulate and control the manufacture, sale, distribution, and use of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices to ensure public safety, order, national security, and the enhancement of cultural traditions.
The Act allows specific types of firecrackers such as baby rockets, bawang, small triangulo, pulling of strings, paper caps, el diablo, watusi, Judah's belt, sky rocket (kwitis), and other types equivalent in explosive content. Allowed pyrotechnic devices include sparklers, luces, fountain, jumbo regular and special, mabuhay, roman candle, trompillo, airwolf, whistle device, butterfly, and other equivalent devices.
Prohibited firecrackers include those with explosive content that could endanger life and limb, such as atomic big triangulo, super lolo, and their equivalents. The Director-General of the Philippine National Police (PNP) has the authority to determine what constitutes prohibited devices.
Licenses or permits shall only be issued to Filipino citizens of good moral character or entities registered with the Bureau of Commerce or Securities and Exchange Commission with 100% Filipino ownership.
No, the importation of finished firecrackers and fireworks is prohibited. Only licensed manufacturers may import chemicals or explosive ingredients used in their manufacture.
Manufacturing complexes must be in designated zones at least 300 meters away from residential units. Facilities must have adequate ventilation, no concrete floors, be leak-proof with fire extinguishers. Warehouses must be at least 50 meters from processing stations, with processing stations separated by specified minimum distances.
They must bear labels indicating the name and address of the manufacturer and warning instructions written in both Filipino and English.
Licensees must keep complete, itemized, and accurate records showing quantities and kinds of explosives and the purposes for which they were used.
Violators are subject to fines ranging from P20,000 to P30,000, imprisonment from 6 months to 1 year, or both, plus cancellation of licenses and permits and confiscation of stocks by the government.