DOH: Donate fireworks budget to victims

MANILA, Philippines - Instead of burning money on fireworks for the New Year revelry, give donations to the victims of tropical storm “Sendong” instead, Health Secretary Enrique Ona said yesterday.      

Over 1,000 people in the cities of Cagayan de Oro, Iligan and Dumaguete were killed when floods swept their houses. Many are still missing.                                        

Ona said giving donations in place of buying fireworks will also minimize the occurrence of fireworks-related injuries and deaths.             

The Department of Health (DOH) has sought donations in cash and in kind for the typhoon victims. It has also sent medical teams to the evacuation

centers to help in the relief efforts.                                       

Medical supplies and water purifiers were also sent to cramped evacuation centers to prevent an outbreak of upper respiratory infections, diarrhea and measles.