BOCAUE, Bulacan, Philippines – Since December 24, almost all 122 stores of firecrackers in Bocaue, Bulacan have been operating nonstop.

Customers from Metro Manila and different provinces have been constantly purchasing firecrackers at the firecracker capital of the country in preparation for the New Year’s festivities.

But as customers keep coming, the Philippine National Police (PNP) has also been very vigilant in implementing guidelines to prevent any untoward incidents like the tragedies which struck in General Santos City and Cebu on Friday.

Firecracker stalls caught fire in the said areas, killing 6 people.

“We make sure na lahat ay sumusunod sa batas natin, mas mahigpit kami and always alert,” said Bocaue Police Chief Superintendent Ronaldo de Jesus.

No smoking

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) likewise has been checking firefighting capabilities of every store, making sure they have fire extinguishers and containers of water.

Customers are also constantly reminded that smoking is prohibited within 10 meters of every store.

The BFP reported that it has caught 10 violators since December 10. They were fined P1,000 each.

Aside from those incidents, the BFP said owners and customers have been obeying the rules. The bureau also noted that it requested additional fire trucks for the stretch of firecracker stalls in Bocaue.

This year, the Bocaue BFP station reported 3 fires involving firecrackers. Early this month, 3 stalls burned down. A small factory caught fire in October and earlier this year, a small factory caught fire, killing 1 person.

But with vigilance, authorities are confident these incidents will not happen again.

Alternative merrymaking

Authorities strongly advised the public to greet the New Year in some other way to avoid injuries and death.

They said revelers can use alternative noise making materials which are inexpensive and safe.

Some customers, meanwhile, said they will observe safety precautions when using firecrackers.

“Maingat naman kami eh. Hindi kami direkta nagsisindi. Gumagamit kami ng mahabang panindi,” stated actress Ramona Revilla, a firecracker buyer in Bocaue.

Edgardo Beloyleri added, “Pambugaw naming ito ng mga masasamang elemento para suwerte and bagong taon.”