Shortage of firecrackers hitting stalls in Bocaue?
MANILA, Philippines — Customers continue to flock Bulacan province, in particular Bocaue, the acknowledged “firecracker capital” of the Philippines, to get their supply of firecrackers to be used for the New Year’s revelry.
However, firecracker supply seemed to dwindle as demand is going up just 2 days before New Year’s eve.
Estrella Fajardo, who herself is engaged in the firecracker trade, had a hard time finding fountains in Barangay Turo.
She said she has set aside P10,000 to buy firecrackers, which she will resell.
“Wala nang fountain kaya umikot pa ako,” she said.
Vendors said certain types of firecrackers were sold easily, hence, the shortage in supply.
“Iyong mga fountains, lusis, madaling maubos,” said firecracker vendor Dennis Elbora.
He said most of their customers buy by the bulk.
Vendors added that there were less production of firecrackers this year because most warehouses holding firecrackers were drenched by Typhoon Ondoy.
“’Yong mga manufacturers hindi rin nakagawa ng marami,” said Susan Porciuncula, another vendor.
Hoarding?
But customers suspect vendors might be hoarding their items for a bigger price on New Year’s Eve.
“Gusto lang nilang itaas ang presyo, hino-hoard nila,” said Eduardo Vidal.
As the New Year approaches, firecracker prices have went up by 30 percent.
Each fountain, which was worth P25 last Tuesday, is already being sold at P45. The bigger versions, which were sold for P75 each on a regular day, now costs P100.
A 1,000-round sawa which used to cost P250, now sells at P350.
Members of the Bocaue police, meanwhile, are doing the rounds to clear the streets of unregistered firecracker vendors.
