CITY OF MALOLOS –The Provincial Government of Bulacan (PGB), with the help of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Pyrotechnics Regulatory Board (PRB), is pushing for the formation of cooperatives among small-scale pyrotechnics entrepreneurs that was highlighted during the Press Briefing and Ocular Inspection of the Display Area of Firecrackers and Pyrotechnic Devices at Santiago Compound, Brgy. Turo, Bocaue, Bulacan on Monday.
During the press briefing, Governor Daniel R. Fernando said that one of PGB’s main goals is to create more jobs and give support to small businesses by holding more meetings with local entrepreneurs and preparing agreements that will help small vendors secure licenses and follow government rules.
“Ang maliliit na negosyante ang pinaka apektado ng regulasyon. Kaya sa pangunguna ng PGB-PCEDO, isinusulong natin ang pagbuo ng kooperatiba ng mga small players ng pyro industry. Sa maliliit na negosyante, napapadali ang access sa puhunan, at tulong ng gobyerno, at mas nagiging organisado at ligtas ang produksyon,” Fernando said. (Small business owners are the most affected by regulation. That is why, led by PGB-PCEDO, we are promoting the formation of cooperatives of small players in the pyro industry. For small business owners, access to capital and government assistance is easier, and production becomes more organized and safe.)
As Bulacan prepares for the 2025 year-end festivities and welcomes 2026, Philippine National Police Acting Chief PLTGEN Jose Melencio C. Nartatez, Jr. reaffirmed their commitment to inter-agency collaboration to prevent loss of life and property.
“Naniniwala ako sa team ng Bulacan, naniniwala ako na sa pakikipagtulungan ng PGB, PRB, PNP, at ng mga stakeholders, maiiwasan ang sakuna at magiging mas regulated ang selebrasyon ng bagong taon,” Nartatez, Jr. said. (I believe in the Bulacan team, I believe that with the cooperation of the PGB, PRB, PNP, and stakeholders, disasters can be avoided and the New Year celebration will be more regulated.)
Meanwhile to ensure a safe new year celebration, various illegal firecrackers were presented during the inspection including Kabase, Binladen, Tuna, Kingkong, Kwiton Bomb, Atomic Bomb, Plapla, Piccolo, Dart Bomb, Coke in Can, Giant Atomic, Goodbye Philippines, Goodbye Chismosa, Carina, Ulyssis, Yolanda, and Pepito.
Also present in the inspection were Vice Gov. Alexis C. Castro, Provincial Administrator Antonia V. Constantino, Provincial Cooperative and Enterprise Development Office Department Head Atty. Jayric L. Amil, Bulacan Police Provincial Office Provincial Director PCOL Angel L. Garcillano, Police Regional Office 3 Regional Director PBGEN Ponce Rogelio I. Peñones, Jr., Bocaue Vice Mayor Atty. Sherwin N. Tugna, Philippine Fireworks Association (PFA) President Jovenson Ong, Philippine Pyrotechnics Manufacturers and Dealers Association, Inc. (PPMDAI) Vice Chairperson, Pyrotechnics Regulatory Board Engr. Celso C. Cruz, and former president of PPMDAI Marlene Lea Alapide.
