A victim of firecracker piccolo
MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Health (DOH) noted a significant decline in the number of firecracker-related injuries from December 21, 2018 to January 2, 2019.
This year’s tally, the DOH said, was 256, which is lower than the same period last year which was 492.
DOH Undersecretary Eric Domingo noted, however, that there were still severe cases recorded this year.
“Mayroon pa rin tayong walong naputulan ng daliri. May 61 na tinamaan sa mata. Gusto pa rin natin na bumaba ito,” Domingo said,
Based on DOH’s record, Metro Manila tops the regions with the highest number of firecracker-related injuries, followed by Ilocos Region and Western Visayas.
Meanwhile, skyrockets or ‘kwitis’ tops the list of injury-causing firecrackers.
“Mayroon pa rin tayong piccolo, boga, at luces…5-star ang pinaka-common pa rin na injuries this year,” the health official said.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III previously emphasized the strict implementation of firecracker zones because most firecracker-related injuries happen in streets or at home.
“So masaya tayo. Relatively speaking mababa. Pero mas masaya kung zero casualty. So palagay ko darating din ang panahon na zero casualty tayo. Mayroon tayong hinahabol na modelo ang Davao City,” Duque said noting Davao City for its record of zero-casualty in welcoming the new year.
Duque noted that most of the victims were high in alcohol.
Some were hurt while smoking cigarettes that sparked the firecracker.
Aside from firecracker ban, the DOH also encourages the public to do away from vices particularly drinking alcohol.
“Iyong manginginom kung pwede itigil ninyo na rin iyan. Dati may sinasabi safe amount of drinking alcohol. Wala ng safe amount kahit na small amount ay meron din banta sa ating kalusugan kaya itigil na natin iyan,” Duque concluded. – Marje Pelayo (with reports from Aiko Miguel)
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