Bulacan police officers reminded the public to not buy illegal firecrackers to avoid injuries and casualties during New Year’s Eve.

As the celebration approaches, there were reports that banned firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices are still available on the market, mostly in areas of Bocaue, Bulacan.

Authorities have arrested several illegal manufacturers of assorted firecrackers.

“Many of these illegal manufacturers produce the prohibited items that are commonly named after newsmakers or controversial people or events,” President of the Philippine Pyrotechnic Manufacturers and Dealers Association Inc. Lea Alapide said in an interview.

“Goodbye COVID” is among the banned firecrackers, coined after the pandemic which started last 2020 — containing 2 grams of explosive ingredients.

Other unlicensed firecrackers are Hello Colombia, Trillanes, Goodbye Bading, Goodbye Philippines, Pacquiao, and Bin Laden.

Earlier this month, PNP Chief General Azurin and Bulacan Governor Daniel Fernando rounded in Bocaue to ensure that firecracker stores were complying with the Republic Act 7188 or the act regulating the sale, manufacture, and use of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices, and the promotion of health and safety and general welfare of the people.