Why firecracker sales are slackingABS-CBNnews.com

Posted at 12/27/15 12:57 PM

MANILA - The sale of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic products has yet to pick up, with only a few days left before

New Year's Eve.

Lea Lapide, president of the Philippine Pyrotechnic Manufacturer and Dealers Association, Inc. (PPMDA), said

Sunday that this may have been because of the 15% to 20% price increase for many products.

Lapide explained the firecracker manufacturers raised the price of their products due to difficulties in purchasing

imported chemical raw materials.

She added that their sales are also affected by cheaper products from illegal manufacturers.

"Minsan nasisingitan kami nung mga 'fly by night.' Iyun pong gagawa sila, itatakbo, ibebenta nang hindi naman po

namin talaga alam. Dahil mura po siya, tinatangkilik po ng ibang nagtitinda," she said.

Lapide appealed to retailers and consumers to refrain from patronizing illegal manufacturers, who also offer banned

products like piccolo.