Firecracker injuries climb to 30

MANILA, Philippines — Four more individuals got injured from fireworks ahead of the New Year celebrations, bringing the total to 30, data from the Department of Health (DOH) showed yesterday.

In a report, the DOH said four more cases of fireworks-related injuries were reported as of 6 a.m. of Dec. 31, for a total of 30 since the agency started monitoring injuries on Dec. 21.

The DOH noted this figure is 76 percent higher compared to the 17 cases recorded in 2020, but 66 percent lower than the five-year average of 89 cases.

“Nine (35 percent) cases occurred in Region 6. There was no fireworks ingestion, stray bullet injury or death reported this year,” it added.

Twenty-five cases were due to illegal fireworks with boga causing the highest number of cases with nine or 30 percent of cases.

Data showed that injuries related to fireworks have been decreasing, from 677 in 2016 to 122 reported cases in 2020.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III had placed all hospitals under Code White Alert since Dec. 20 to ensure that they are prepared to “prevent and treat fireworks-related injuries.”

“We are preparing not just in welcoming 2022, but also in giving our kababayan a safe and sans-souci New Year. DOH always hopes that celebrations like this will not create untoward accidents,” Duque said.

Crackdown

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Dionardo Carlos has instructed police units to coordinate with barangay officials and other village peacekeepers in their areas of responsibility to apprehend firecracker ban violators.

“The barangay and local PNP units’ partnership will ensure that there is proper enforcement of local executive orders and a strong system of shared responsibility,” Carlos said.

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año earlier ordered the PNP, Bureau of Fire Protection and local government units (LGUs) to impose a crackdown on the manufacture, sale and use of illegal firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices to prevent firecracker-related injuries and fires during the New Year’s Eve festivities.

While President Duterte’s Executive Order No. 28 only regulates the manufacturing, selling and use of firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices, Carlos said LGUs are given the authority to impose a total prohibition on firecrackers this holiday season.

He said some LGUs have disclosed their intention to break away from tradition and instead encouraged residents to use safe alternatives in celebrating the New Year.

The LGUs have issued their orders and laid down the provisions, including penalties for violators. – Emmanuel Tupas