A massive “fireworks frenzy” gripped Bocaue, Bulacan, the nation’s pyrotechnics capital as shoppers scramble to grab what’s left of the thinning supplies just hours before the New Year countdown.
Despite a noticeable spike in prices, the crowds aren’t backing down. Popular noisemakers like sawa and kwitis are reportedly flying off the shelves, with vendors warning that stocks are hitting rock bottom.
The supply crunch follows a production slump caused by recent typhoons that battered local manufacturers.
“Our costs are up because there’s almost nothing left to buy from the makers,” vendor Arby Apilado admitted, as the rush turned the famous fireworks strip into a sea of people.
Even with the price hike, bargain hunters from as far as Pampanga are still betting on Bocaue, claiming it’s still cheaper than buying in their home provinces.
Many are blowing past their budgets just to keep the holiday tradition alive, with some shoppers spending nearly double their planned limit.
Cops on the Prowl
It’s not just buyers flooding the streets; the “firecracker police” are out in full force.
Teams from the PNP and BFP are patrolling the stalls 24/7 to ensure no “killer” firecrackers—like the notorious piccolo or pla-pla—make it into the hands of the public.
Stalls are staying open around the clock until Wednesday, but with supplies running this low, the message to revelers is clear: buy now or face a silent New Year.