Toxic watchdog group BAN Toxics sounded the alarm over the selling of “Giant Piccolo” in the
market.
Piccolo has been marked as one of the prohibited firecrackers for the past years and is
one of the main culprits of firecracker-related injury for kids.
In the recent market monitoring conducted by BT Patrollers over the weekend, the group had
purchased another prohibited firecracker, the “giant piccolo” in the store near Divisoria Mall in
Manila.
With no proper labeling, the “Happy Flower” giant piccolo was sold for P200 pesos for a
pack of 10 pieces.
To recall, BAN Toxics raised the alarm last November on the early selling of prohibited
firecrackers, namely: Five STAR, Whistle Bomb, Giant Bawang, and Happy Ball.
The organization also called the attention of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to initiate on-site
inspection and confiscation of prohibited firecrackers in public markets.
According to the Department of Health (DOH) Fireworks-Related Injury Surveillance 2021, a
total of 189 fireworks-related injuries were reported in 2021, 188 of which were due to fireworks
and while the outlier was from a stray bullet.
This was 54% higher compared to 2020 (123cases) and 55% lower than the five-year average (416 cases) during the same time period.
“We call again the attention of PNP and DILG to step up and conduct on-site monitoring and
confiscation of illegal and prohibited firecrackers as New Year’s Eve draws closer,” said Thony
Dizon, Toxics Campaigner of BAN Toxics.
Executive Order No. 28 authorized the PNP and the local chief executives to promulgate
necessary rules and regulations on firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices with their
territorial jurisdiction in conformity with the national standards, rules and regulations.
To prevent firecracker-related injury especially among children, the group reminded the public to
avoid spending money on toxic, waste, and pollution-driven firecrackers and fireworks.
Instead, the public should promote and use alternative noise makers like shakers from old plastic
containers, tambourine made out of used bottle caps, pots and pot lids, and maracas from
recycled cans for a safer and healthy New Year’s celebration.
“We appeal to all vendors to stop selling any prohibited firecrackers, especially to children. We
need to protect our kids from any toxic pollution from firecrackers and fireworks and prevent
injuries during the holiday season,” BAN Toxics added.
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