FIREWORKS SALES. Justina Gabuyo (left), director of the Philippine Pyrotechnics Manufacturers and Dealers Association Inc. and proprietor of the Global Fireworks and Trading in Bocaue, Bulacan holds a victory light luces, one of their best-selling firework items. She said that prices of firework products are lower this year compared to the previous years. (Photo by Manny Balbin)
BOCAUE, Bulacan -- With the New Year coming closer, business has started to get brisk in this town dubbed as the "fireworks capital of the country".
Jovenson Ong, president of the Pyrotechnic Regulatory Board of Bulacan, said the most sought- after items are fountains, sparklers, and big aerial fireworks displays.
“The bulk of sales are expected to be made on Monday since the celebration for the New Year revelry will start midnight,” he said.
Meanwhile, Justina Gabuyo, director of the Philippine Pyrotechnics Manufacturers and Dealers Association Inc. (PPMDAI) and proprietor of the Global Fireworks and Trading in this town, noted fewer buyers this year compared to previous years.
“Some of my customers said that there have been reports that fireworks stores here have already stopped operations and that maybe the reason for the slow start of our business,” she said.
Gabuyo said that before, majority of fireworks stores in Bocaue would start to operate on a 24-hour basis around December 15.
But this year, she said most of the stores began their 24-hour operation only after Christmas Day.
Gabuyo also said prices of firework products are lower this year compared to the previous years.
She particularly cited as an example a three-deck pagoda which sells for an average of PHP600 compared to PHP800 last year; two-deck pagoda for PHP400 from the previous PHP600; and the one-deck pagoda for PHP150 compared to last year’s PHP250.
For aerial pyrotechnic devices like the 16 shots, she said these are now sold at an average of PHP450 compared to the previous price of PHP600 to PHP650.
Gabuyo also said that the best-selling traditional fireworks products are luces that sells from PHP15 to PHP35 per bundle depending on the variety, and silver fountain that sells for PHP15 to PHP25.
Meanwhile, a fire broke out in a fireworks store along MacArthur Highway in Barangay Biniang 1st here on Saturday.
The fire razed down the two-story store of RT Sayo Fireworks Store owned by Allen Sayo, who is licensed to sell fireworks products. The blaze was contained at 7 p.m.
No casualty was reported and damage to properties is still being assessed.
Col. Emma Libunao, acting Bulacan police director, said according to store helpers, the fire started when they turned on the lights at around 6 p.m.
“The helpers said that they saw spark when they switched on the lights,” she said. (PNA)
