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[av_heading heading=’Nearly 200 hurt in New Year revelries Health dep’t to push for total ’cracker ban ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]
BY ADRIAN STEWART CO and AFP
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MANILA – Nearly 200 people were injured during traditionally raucous New Year celebrations in the Philippines despite President Rodrigo Duterte’s order limiting the use of firecrackers.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque said 191 people were hurt during the 2018 revelry.
The figure was down 77 percent compared to the average over the past five years and down 68 percent compared to the 2017 revelry figures, Duque told a news conference at the East Avenue Medical Center in Quezon City on Jan. 1.
There was no reported death and no case of fireworks ingestion.
The Health department monitored firecracker injuries from Dec. 21, 2017 to Jan. 1, 2018.
Despite the drop in figures, Duque said his department might recommend a total firecracker ban to ensure zero casualties.
“We are relatively pleased – relative because there are still injuries but pleased because of the substantial reduction in fireworks-related injuries,” he said.
Last June Duterte issued Executive Order (EO) No. 28, which restricted the noisy explosives to community fireworks displays in an attempt to curb the bloody merrymaking that leaves scores of Filipinos dead or injured each year.
Firecrackers may only be used in areas approved by local governments and under the supervision of trained and licensed people, the EO stated.
The Philippines is mainly Catholic but the violent New Year festivities draw on ancient superstitions and Chinese traditions, with people firing guns and setting off powerful fireworks in the belief the bangs will drive away bad spirits.
“We must admit that (EO No. 28) is one of the reasons for the reduction of fireworks-related injuries,” said Duque.
Asked how to further minimize injuries, Duque said: “I think the end goal really is to ban fireworks completely.”
Meanwhile, contrary Duque’s claim, there was one case of stray bullet injury in Caloocan City. A bullet hit the right side of the torso of a 10-year-old boy and exited on the left side.
Another stray bullet injury was recorded by the police in Buruanga, Aklan.
The 45-year-old woman was sleeping with her family when a bullet struck her right thigh and left a hole on their house, police said.
Most of this year’s injuries were from the National Capital Region (115 cases) and the illegal matchstick-sized piccolo firecrackers remaining the top cause, Duque said.
There were victims of kwitis, luces, whistle bomb, and baby rocket, too. Among those hurt was an 11-month-old baby, he added.
Most of the injured were males (160, or 84 percent). The ages of cases ranged from 11 months to 96 years old. Sixty-four percent of the victims were active users and 77 percent of the incidents happened outdoors, Health department records showed.
Most of the injuries were on the hands (115 cases), followed by eyes (25), head (23), forearm (20), legs (13), and chest area (10).
Among sentinel hospitals nationwide, Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center in Manila had the most fireworks-related injury with 44.
Around 20 were rushed to the East Avenue Medical Center in Quezon City while about 18 were taken to the Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center in Marikina City for treatment.
In 2016 Duterte said firecracker-related injuries were a “very serious public health issue,” adding that he was concerned about children, who make up most of the victims.
As mayor of Davao City, he signed in 2002 an ordinance that banned the manufacture, sale, distribution, possession, and use of firecrackers in the metro.
The President might consider adopting a total firecracker ban nationwide.
“He might but there may be a need to amend the law,” Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque told AFP on Jan. 1./PN
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