Fireworks injuries continue to climb

MANILA, Philippines — Eight more persons were added to the list of firecracker-related injuries yesterday morning, bringing the total cases to 62 since Dec. 21, the Department of Health (DOH) reported.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said the recent development “is not a good sign” as the figure is higher by two cases compared to the same period last year, which had 60.

“Maybe because we have good weather now. While in 2018, it rained and people were not able to use firecrackers,” Duque said.

He said what was alarming was that a majority of the victims are children, the youngest just one year old. 

Based on its latest report, piccolo is the leading cause of injuries, accounting for nine cases.  

It was followed by boga and kwitis with six each, and 5-star and luces with five cases each.

“Forty-seven or 76 percent suffered blast or burn injuries not requiring amputation, 16 or 26 percent had eye injuries and two or three percent required amputation. Of the 62 cases, two had multiple injuries,” the report said.

The National Capital Region has the highest reported cases with 27, followed by Ilocos region with eight.

Cagayan Valley, Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) and Bicol have four cases each.  

Total ban

Senators have pushed anew for a total ban on the sale and use of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices except for authorized fireworks displays.

The lawmakers made the call as the DOH recorded 62 firecracker-related injuries since Dec. 21, including the case of a seven-year-old boy from General Trias, Cavite whose two fingers were amputated.

According to the DOH, 35 of these cases involved the use of illegal firecrackers such as piccolo and boga.

The DOH said a total ban on firecrakers may not be possible now, although it is the best measure to prevent injuries.

Duque said it is easy to impose a ban, but the livelihood of the workers in the firecracker industry must be considered.

“But down the road, the direction should be the total prohibition of firecrackers,” he said. – With Paolo Romero, Ramon Efren Lazaro, Marc Jayson Cayabyab