New Year’s Eve is not complete without firecrackers and fireworks displays. It has long been a Chinese tradition adopted by Filipinos, along with the belief that loud noises scare away evil spirits. This is the main reason why most Filipinos continue to se firecrackers on New Year's Eve. Since then, the use of firecrackers on New Years has been a tradition that has become entrenched in the culture of the Philippines.
When we talk about firecrackers and fireworks, a Filipino cannot forget to mention the town of Bocaue. Touted as the “Fireworks Capital of the Philippines,” Bocaue has been known throughout the country because of its fireworks industry that has been frequented by thousands of buyers every year. Although this year’s number of buyers has somewhat decreased compared to last year, there are still lots of people who flock to Bocaue in preparation for New Year's Eve celebrations.
The bestsellers are the cheap fireworks such as sparklers, rockets and fountains, which is why vendors advise consumers to come early to still be able to buy them at cheaper prices.
The Bulacan Governor Inspects Fireworks Stores
An article from PPAO from the website https://www.bulacan.gov.ph features how Gov. Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado directed the Bulacan police and other concerned agencies to regularly inspect fireworks stores and factories and ensure that the safety and other salient provisions of the Firecracker Law is strictly observed.
Together with Vice Governor Daniel Fernando, officials of the Bulacan Police Provincial Office (BPPO), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC), they conducted a lighting inspection of fireworks stores in Brgy. Turo, Bocaue, Bulacan.
Alvarado urged fireworks dealers to strictly follow the safety provisions of the law and personally checked if their fire extinguishers and other fire-fighting equipment are in good working condition. He also encouraged the dealers not to sell smuggled pyrotechnics devices, saying that influx of imported fireworks into the local market is killing the local industry.
Going to Bocaue
Bocaue is about 27 kilometers north of Manila via the North Luzon Expressway and the Bocaue Exit (in Barangay Turo). The town is the center route for this highway that provides fast transport to Metro Manila.