This was 30 percent higher than last year’s figure for the same period and the victims were mostly male, aged 3 to 59.
Health Secretary Manuel Dayrit said that these injuries are preventable and called on the public to find alternative merrymaking activities in welcoming the New Year.
However, the Philippine National Police-Firearms and Explosives Division’s (PNP-FED) pre-Christmas monitor reported no deaths.
This, according to Senior Superintendent Jerry Barias, was a clear indication that the coming New Year’s celebration will be safer for revelers nationwide.
He disclosed that in the year 2000, there were 690 firecracker victims, 27 from stray bullets and three from ingestion of Watusi nationwide. Of this number, 94 were victims of firecracker explosions and 16 were hit by stray bullets during the pre-New Year celebrations.
"We’re very optimistic na bababa ngayon (that it will go down this year). And it will be very nice if we can come up with a zero statistic," he said.
As approximately 70 to 80 percent of injuries and even deaths occur on New Year’s Eve, government agencies are now joining forces to ensure a low casualty rate this year.
Barias, PNP-FED director, said that they have started strictly monitoring the manufacture and sale of firecrackers as early three months ago.
He said that unlike in previous years, firecracker manufacturers now use modern equipment in the safe manufacture of pyrotechnics.
However, as the sale and movement of firecrackers start today, Barias said that PNP-FED personnel are now conducting random checkpoints on all entry points in Metro Manila to prevent the entry of banned firecrackers and pyrotechnics in the metropolis.
"Anybody caught transporting banned pyrotechnic products is facing P20,000 to P30,000 fine or six months to one year in jail or both, depending on the gravity of the offense," Barias said.
Banned firecrackers include: OG, "Lolo Thunder," "Super Lolo," "Super Bawang," "Pla-pla," "Kwinton bomb," "atomic bomb" and giant whistle bombs.
Barias disclosed that to avoid casualties caused by stray bullets, stiff penalties await any member of the police or military force caught firing their guns during the New Year revelry. — Rainier Allan Ronda, Jaime Laude, Cecille Suerte Felipe, Katherine Adraneda