70 hurt by ’crackers, 3 by stray bullets

Seven days before the New Year revelry, 70 people have already been reported injured by firecrackers and three hit by stray bullets.

In the report issued by the Department of Health (DOH) yesterday, the number is still significantly lower compared to the same period last year.

The same report indicated three children had fallen ill after ingesting watusi or dancing pyrotechnics, which contain poisonous yellow phosphorous.

Such incidents occurred amid repeated warnings to the public by health authorities against the use of pyrotechnics and the indiscriminate discharge of firearms during the New Year’s Eve revelry.

Launching the "Formula Konta Paputok 2005" program, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III appealed for the use of tin cans, car horns and other noise-making devices as an alternative to expensive firecrackers in welcoming in 2006.

Duque also warned revelers against the indiscriminate discharge of firearms.

President Arroyo, on the other hand, ordered authorities to arrest people who will fire their guns indiscriminately during the New Year revelry.

The President also ordered authorities to sustain the campaign against the use of environmentally damaging oversized firecrackers.

The DOH report, which was prepared by the National Epidemiology Center, showed two of the stray bullet victims were rushed to the Bicol Medical Center for treatment while another was treated at the East Avenue Medical Center in Quezon City. Their ages ranged from one year to 66 years old.

The same report showed that 50 percent of those injured directly handled firecrackers, while 25 percent were mere onlookers. Another 25 percent of those who were injured were innocent bystanders.

Eleven of the victims had to have limbs amputated while 16 of them suffered eye injuries.

"Thirteen (19 percent) were under the influence of liquor (while) fifteen percent of the incidents occurred in the street. There were no deaths reported," the report added.

Environment Secretary Michael Defensor said Mrs. Arroyo issued the order to the police and military to sustain the drive against erring policemen and servicemen indiscriminately discharging their service firearms on New Year’s Eve.

"The President said she wants authorities and the police to be prepared to minimize, if not remove incidents where people get killed or injured because of the indiscriminate firing of guns during the New Year and also injuries or accidents caused by dangerous firecrackers," he said.

Defensor said the President will call for another meeting with police and military officials to draw up a list of firecrackers considered dangerous or harmful to the environment.

Authorities consider firecrackers — locally known as "Pla-pla" and "Super Lolo" — as highly explosive devices.

Defensor explained Mrs. Arroyo’s directive was not meant to weaken the local firecracker industry but only to prevent the use of dangerous and oversized firecrackers.

He also urged people against burning tires during the New Year celebration, pointing out the practice has been banned because of the poisonous fumes that are produced. — With Paolo Romero