EcoWaste Supports PNP Crackdown on Illegal Pyrotechnics

The Philippine National Police’s (PNP) crackdown on DIY boga (improvised cannons) and other illegal pyrotechnic devices has gained the full support of the EcoWaste Coalition, a toxics watchdog group.

“We support the ongoing efforts of our law enforcers to seize and destroy these highly dangerous improvised cannons, which can cause eye and burn injuries,” said Aileen Lucero, national coordinator of EcoWaste Coalition.

She appealed to the public to use alternative noisemakers during the festive season to avoid injuries, reduce toxic smoke, and prevent hazardous waste.

The group, which has been running its “Iwas Paputoxic” campaign since 2006, commended police units across the country for their heightened efforts to safeguard public health from illegal pyrotechnic devices.

The Rizal Police Provincial Office (RPPO) reported confiscating and destroying 402 boga devices made from PVC pipes, tin cans, and plastic bottles just days before New Year’s Eve.

According to the RPPO’s Facebook page, police are actively campaigning to inform and warn the public about the dangers of using boga and other illegal firecrackers, which pose significant risks to human health and safety.

At a recent event, the Rizal PNP, in coordination with the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and other agencies, led the destruction of seized boga devices to underscore their commitment to public safety.

Meanwhile, the PNP is tracking individuals behind online tutorials on how to make boga, which have been circulating on TikTok.

Surveillance data from the Department of Health (DOH) identified boga as one of the top culprits of firecracker-related injuries since monitoring began on Dec. 21. Out of 43 recorded injuries, 37—or 86 percent—were caused by illegal pyrotechnics, including boga.

In January 2024, the DOH reported a 98 percent increase in firecracker-related injuries, rising from 307 cases in 2023 to 609 in 2024. The most common causes included kwitis, 5-star, pla-pla, luces, whistle bombs, boga, and fountains.

The use of boga was banned in 2006 under President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo following reports of 38 eye injuries, 33 burn injuries, and one amputation linked to the device.

EcoWaste Coalition also highlighted the environmental risks associated with boga made from PVC plastic. Burning such materials releases toxic dioxins, a class of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) targeted for global reduction or elimination.

Dioxins are linked to cancers and other severe health issues, including developmental, reproductive, immune, and nervous system disorders.