The recent explosion inside a fireworks factory in Cabuyao City, Laguna should serve as a wake-up call for authorities on the real and present risks of so-called “backyard” factories.
To recall, five people – one of them a minor – were killed and scores more injured after an explosion ripped through a fireworks factory in Barangay Bigaa.
While authorities say the factory has all the necessary permits to operate, it was allegedly not the first time a fire had occurred in the factory – this time, unfortunately, there were casualties involved.
The fact that the factory was located near a residential area (despite photos showing that it had been far enough not to cause more damage) has also sparked concern among locals, as there had been a very real possibility for the fire to spread to nearby houses.
This is not the first time such an incident has happened in Laguna province: in November 2022, five people also died after an explosion occurred inside what authorities claim was an “illegal” fireworks factory at a residential area in Calamba City.
While the national and local governments have been very stringent in ensuring that the large industrial estates that provide employment to thousands of Lagunenses follow the highest standards of industrial safety, the same cannot be said of many of the so-called “backyard factories” that often operate either without the necessary permits or without following even the most basic of safety regulations.
It's high time local authorities should look closer into these small-scale factories that, while providing livelihood for many of our residents, also pose a significant risk to their health and safety.
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