The prices of fireworks in Bulacan doubled and tripled this year, according to Governor Daniel Fernando on Thursday.
According to Fernando, some prices of fireworks increased by 35%, 50%, and more due to the lack of raw materials.
"Merong doble, merong triple, hindi pare-parehas," he told DZRH in an interview, but did not give specifics.
(There are prices that doubled, tripled, it’s not the same for all.)
He attributed the increase to the importation of materials from other countries after local manufacturers were unable to procure cheaper materials.
"Kasi talagang 'yung iba hindi halos makakuha ng materyales, talagang wala sila halos makuha. 'Yung iba nga napilitan nang bumili sa Europe kaya nagmahal," he said.
(Because some were unable to get materials, they almost got nothing. Some were forced to buy from Europe that’s why prices became expensive.)
"'Yung mga mura, nagtaas lang ng 35%, 50%, 'yun 'yung nakakita lang dito sa China, pero hindi na ganun karami. 'Yung nagmahal 'yung bandang Europe," he added.
(Those who had a small increase, hiked by 35%, 50%, those were from factories that found materials in China, but there weren’t a lot. Those that had bigger increases got theirs from Europe.)
Meanwhile, Fernando also noted the drop in accidents in factories of fireworks, which he attributed to the regulation and inspection from the government.
"Talagang 'yan ay na-regulate mabuti, talagang binabantayan natin kasi medyo nakakadala na 'yung ganun. Kaya iwasan na 'yung ganun," he said.
(Those were regulated well. We are really monitoring that because we learned our lesson now. So let’s avoid that.)
Eyes are on the fireworks-making industry as the New Year draws close. The Philippine National Police previously said it will monitor the sale and use of firecrackers and warned "necessary penalties" against sellers and manufacturers of illegal ones.
