DOH launches new campaign vs. pyros

CEBU, Philippines - Since the use of firecrackers has long been part of Filipino tradition especially during Christmas and New Year’s Eve, the Department of Health-7 is advocating a new firework-injury reduction campaign dubbed as “Aksyon Paputok Injury Reduction” or APIR.

DOH-7 Regional Director Dr. Susana Madarieta said the APIR campaign refers to the completeness of the five fingers when doing the high-five.

Although firecracker-related injuries is declining in Central Visayas, Madarieta reminded the public to use safer merrymaking materials such as trumpets, vehicle horns and other safe noisemakers in welcoming 2012.

“Usually, fingers are the common body part affected in firecracker injuries. In severe cases, some fingers are amputated,” Madarieta said.

Last year, there were 47 cases of firecracker-related injuries recorded by the DOH-7 that required medical treatment.

Cebu City had the highest number of cases with 35 and six each from Bohol and Negros Oriental. Seven of the total cases involved injury to the eye.

In 2009, there were also 47 cases of firecracker-related injuries and in 2008 there were 58 cases recorded by the DOH-7 with the most number again coming from Cebu City. 

Under the firecrackers law, the police will only confiscate certain firecrackers that are prohibited such as “super lolo”, super thunder and goodbye Philippines.

Madarieta said it is better to be safe and have our fingers complete after the holidays rather than greet the Christmas and New Year with missing fingers.

Meanwhile, the Cebu City Task Force Pabuto convened last Monday and started monitoring violators of the newly passed city ordinance regulating the sale, use and distribution of firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices within Cebu City.

Market Administrator Raquel Arce said they have started inspecting the markets and sidewalks for illegal vending of firecrackers since according to the ordinance, vending shall be exclusive to the South Road Properties Firecracker Zone while only selected type of pyrotechnic devices can be displayed and sold inside malls.

Arce said the inspections are randomly conducted. Those who will be caught illegally selling firecrackers will face confiscation, an administrative penalty of P2,000 and imprisonment upon the discretion of the court.

Arce said that they accommodated 80 firecracker traders to put up their stalls at the firecracker zone in SRP. The traders have paid the registration fee, for being part of the Kasadya sa SRP to be launched on December 15, and a special permit from the CTO apart from the permit from the PNP.

Arce said that those who will display in malls and other places outside SRP also need a special permit from the city government. Only limited types of firecrackers are allowed to be sold outside SRP, these are pyrotechnic devices that are less risky.

The city’s firecracker ordinance classified the types of firecrackers allowed to be sold within the city into three --Classes 1, 2, 3.

Firecrackers that must be sold only at the SRP only are Class 2 and 3 firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices are banger (Judas belt), fountain, Roman candle, mine, pinwheel (trompillo), rocket, combination, shell and shell in mortar, among others. These are suitable for outdoor use and may cause injury to people standing within five meters for Class 2 or 25 meters or Class 3.

Class 1 firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices allowed for sale are those with a cap, smoke device, party popper, table bomb, throwdown (bawang or triangle), novelty match (watusi), non hand-held sparkler and hand-held sparkler, cracker snap and serpent. These are devices suitable inside domestic buildings. Class 1 firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices can be displayed and sold in malls.

Arce said they have resolved with the city legal office their earlier concerns about implementing the ordinance and are ready to go full blast with the enforcement. –(FREEMAN)