.png){kind=logo}
1 month ago
23
Upgrade to High-Speed Internet for only ₱1499/month!
Enjoy up to 100 Mbps fiber broadband, perfect for browsing, streaming, and gaming.
Visit Suniway.ph to learn
Ramon Efren Lazaro - The Philippine Star
December 21, 2025 | 12:00am
Photo provided by the Bulacan Provincial Office shows the illegal five-star firecrackers used for the multiple-round Sawa, which were confiscated in Santa, Maria Bulacan the other day.
STAR / File
MANILA, Philippines — As the Philippine National Police (PNP) intensifies its crackdown on the illegal manufacture of fireworks ahead of the New Year celebrations, an advocacy group has called on the government to issue clear guidelines on the disposal of confiscated firecracker products.
BAN Toxics advocacy and campaign officer Thony Dizon told The STAR that “confiscated firecrackers and fireworks should be disposed of properly in accordance with Republic Act 9003 and RA 6969 to ensure that the hazardous chemicals contained in these products will not contaminate soil and water.”
“We call on the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental Management Bureau to properly guide the PNP on the disposal of these hazardous products. There are treatment, storage and disposal facilities that are equipped to handle hazardous wastes,” he added.
Science and Technology Secretary Renato Solidum echoed the warning, explaining in a text message to The STAR that fireworks products for disposal should be soaked, placed in a double bag and sealed as it will lead to contamination if it is just buried as is.
The call for stricter disposal protocols came as police operatives arrested seven individuals in Santa Maria, Bulacan on Friday afternoon for allegedly manufacturing firecrackers illegally.
According to police, the arrests were made during a joint operation by the Bulacan Police intelligence unit, the 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company and the Santa Maria Municipal Police Station in Sitio Sulucan Perez, Barangay Pulong Buhangin.
Authorities said the suspects, who are all residents of Barangay Pulong Buhangin, were caught in the act of producing firecrackers. They were identified only by their aliases – Peter, Shiela, Jeffrey, Arnold, Julie, Maryann and Jovelyn.
Confiscated from the suspects were five-star firecrackers being assembled into “sawa” products, as well as various tools and materials used in firecracker production, with an estimated total value of P20,000.
