The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-General Santos City will confiscate pyrotechnic devices that do not have a Philippine Standard (PS) mark.
DTI-Gensan also said owners of the products that may be confiscated may be fined P18,000 and up to P25,000 per product.
Personnel of DTI-Gensan are set to conduct surprise inspections on pyrotechnic devices sold in the city.
Authorities reminded the public that only pyrotechnic devices such as kwitis, fountain, handheld sparkler, among others, are allowed. These are displayed at the Oval Plaza, the authorized display center for firecrackers in the city.
Up to 35 stores are displaying pyrotechnic devices in the area, according to the Gensan Pyrotechnic Association.
Other firecrackers such as pla-pla, piccolo, super lolo, among others are prohibited.
“Dito sa Gensan bawal man yun firecracker…ang firecracker pla-pla, piccolo, super lolo, yan ang mga firecracker. Ang mga pyrotechnic kwitis, pailaw, fountain, and different pyrotechnic, (allowed),” Gensan Pyrotechnic Association President, Mac Pangonotan, said.
DTI-Gensan reminded the public to check the PS marks on the products to ensure that the products are safe.
Displaying imported products is also prohibited.
“I-check nila kung naay PS Mark…to ensure nga kaning fireworks niagi og quality test, sa DTI para safe gamitun. Dili lang namu I inform ang exact date but we are planning na mag check gyud, it coud be in collaboration sa PNP,” DTI-Gensan Consumer Protection Division Trade and Industry Specialist, Geovanni Man-on, said.