As the New Year approaches, firecracker vendors in Lapu-Lapu City report stable prices for now, but consumers are advised to brace for increases just before the big celebration.
Prices Hold Firm Ahead of Expected Rush
At the designated firecracker retail zone along New Takan Road in Barangay Babag, Lapu-Lapu City, vendor Rosalie Cedimo displays her wares with prices unchanged from previous levels. This stability offers an early buying opportunity for residents looking to celebrate the coming of 2026 with traditional fireworks.
However, Cedimo and other sellers anticipate a significant change in the market dynamic. Prices are expected to rise on December 30 and 31, when a massive influx of last-minute buyers is forecasted. This annual surge in demand typically allows vendors to adjust their pricing upward.
Current Firecracker Price List in Barangay Babag
The retail zone offers a variety of pyrotechnics at the following prices as of December 27, 2025:
- Small Fountain: P35 per piece
- Medium Fountain: P50 per piece
- Large Fountain: P80 per piece
- Double XL Fountain: P350 per piece
- Fountain Combination: P250
- Kwitis (with bamboo): P7 per piece | (without bamboo): P5 per piece
- Butterfly: P7 per piece
- Thunder: P250
- Lusis: P50 per piece
- Mercury: P50 for three pieces
- Roman Candle: P100 for three pieces
- Higad Belt: P120
- 1,000-round Rambo: P850
Cultural Significance and Safety in Designated Zones
The tradition of lighting firecrackers remains deeply rooted in Filipino New Year's celebrations. For many, the loud noises and bright lights symbolize the driving away of bad spirits and misfortune, paving the way for a prosperous and lucky year ahead.
The establishment of specific retail zones, like the one in Barangay Babag, is a measure by local governments to centralize sales and promote safer handling of pyrotechnics. It allows authorities to better monitor the quality of products sold and ensures vendors operate in a controlled environment, away from densely populated residential areas where accidents are more likely to occur.
Vendors like Rosalie Cedimo benefit from the organized setup, which draws customers to a known location. For buyers, it provides a one-stop shop for their celebratory needs while theoretically offering more oversight than scattered, informal roadside sales.
Advice for Consumers
Given the expected price hike at the end of December, consumers looking for the best deals are encouraged to make their purchases early. Buying before the December 30-31 rush not only saves money but also helps avoid the largest crowds.
Authorities continue to remind the public to prioritize safety, purchase only from licensed vendors in designated areas, and follow all local regulations regarding the use of firecrackers and fireworks to ensure that the New Year's celebration is joyful and accident-free for everyone in Lapu-Lapu City and across the Philippines.
