The Provincial Government of Bulacan (PGB) is spearheading a major initiative to organize small-scale pyrotechnics vendors into cooperatives. This move aims to enhance safety and regulation ahead of the 2025 year-end festivities and the welcome of 2026.
Collaborative Drive for Regulation and Jobs
This strategy was a central topic during a press briefing and ocular inspection held on Monday, December 23, 2025, at the Santiago Compound in Barangay Turo, Bocaue, Bulacan. The event featured collaboration between the PGB, the Philippine National Police (PNP), and the Pyrotechnics Regulatory Board (PRB).
Governor Daniel R. Fernando emphasized that the provincial government is prioritizing job creation and support for small businesses. The plan involves engaging directly with local entrepreneurs to craft agreements that will help them secure necessary licenses and comply with government regulations more efficiently.
Inter-Agency Commitment to Prevent Disaster
As preparations for the New Year celebrations intensify, PNP Acting Chief P/Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez, Jr. reaffirmed the commitment to inter-agency collaboration. He stressed that the unified effort is crucial to preventing loss of life and property damage.
"I believe in the Bulacan team, and I believe that through the cooperation of the PGB, PRB, PNP, and other stakeholders, disasters can be prevented and the New Year celebration will be more regulated," Nartatez stated in Filipino during the briefing.
Crackdown on Banned Firecrackers
A key part of ensuring a safe celebration is the strict prohibition of illegal firecrackers. During the inspection, authorities presented a wide array of banned pyrotechnic devices to underscore the crackdown. The prohibited items included:
- 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
The presence of these items highlighted the ongoing risks and the necessity of the government's regulatory push. Several other Bulacan officials were present during the inspection to demonstrate a united front.
The formation of cooperatives is seen as a sustainable solution. It aims to professionalize the local pyrotechnics industry, often centered in Bocaue, by providing vendors with better access to legal channels, safety training, and collective bargaining power, ultimately leading to a more controlled and safer revelry for all.
