MANILA – With a few days left before the New Year’s celebration starts, the Department of Health (DOH) reported 22 firecracker-related injuries.
According to data from DOH, the injuries reported as of Dec. 26 were from Regions 1, 2, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, 5, 6, 7, 11, 12, and the National Capital Region.
The department said most of the victims were males in the 14 cases involved. The ages of victims ranged from four to 60 years old.
DOH also noted that the firecrackers that wounded the victims were Boga, Luces, 5-star, Baby Rocket, Bamboo Canon, Fountain, Kalburo, Kwitis, Mini Bomb, Piccolo, Whistle Bomb, and an unknown firecracker.
DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III urged the public to turn to safer noisemakers to welcome the New Year as firecracker-related injuries started to pile up.
“Maaaring gumamit ng ibang pampa-ingay sa pagsalubong sa Bagong Taon gaya ng torotot, kaldero,” Duque said in an interview with DZBB.
“Kung may community fireworks display, maaari na lamang po itong saksihan… O mag-street party na lang,” he added.
Based on the latest tally by the DOH, the recorded firecracker-related injuries is lower by 35% than the 34 listed in the same period last year.
“Thankfully, wala naman nasawi at wala namang nakaroon ng ingestion ng paputok. Wala rin tayong straight bullet incident,” Duque said.
“If ever naman ay nakahanda na ang mga gagamitin sa pang-opera sa mga biktima ng paputok,” the Health secretary added./PN
