MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang yesterday lauded the health department for the lower number of firecracker-related casualties this year and the police for what it described as “generally peaceful” celebration of the holidays.
“We congratulate the Department of Health (DOH) for its very successful Iwas Paputok campaign and the Philippine National Police (PNP), together with the local executives, for a generally peaceful celebration of Christmas and New Year,” Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said in a statement.
Andanar also assured the public that President Duterte would take into account the “greater good” when he decides on the proposal to ban the use of firecrackers during New Year.
“We have yet to see a signed EO (executive order) for the firecracker ban,” Andanar said.
“Although we are very much aware that the President is a strong advocate of the total firecrackers ban, there are industries and laborers also that would be affected by this move. The President weighs and considers the welfare that would be for the greater good of all,” he added.
The DOH has drafted an EO banning individual use of firecrackers and encouraging community fireworks display. The policy was opposed by groups who are worried about its impact on livelihood and jobs, especially in areas where firecrackers are manufactured.
Last week, DOH Undersecretary Gerardo Bayugo said a law would be a “better tool” to ensure less firecracker-related injuries and damage during New Year.
Health officials are hopeful that the EO or the law banning firecrackers would be implemented by this year.
National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Director Oscar Albayalde cited yesterday the public’s cooperation in their campaign against indiscriminate firing and banned firecrackers for the low casualty rate recorded during the New Year revelry.
In line with the directive of PNP chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa’s order to crack down on indiscriminate firing and use and sale of illegal firecrackers, the NCRPO closely monitored the incidents and casualties of indiscriminate firing, stray bullets and firecrackers during the celebrations.
From Dec. 16, 2016 to Jan. 2, 2017, the NCRPO recorded only 167 firecracker incidents, compared to the 881 firecracker cases last year that included one fatality, or a decrease of 86 percent.
Only three stray bullet incidents were recorded in the same period, compared to 14 cases last year.
The PNP reported yesterday that cases of firecracker-related injuries and stray bullet incidents related to Christmas and New Year celebrations went down compared to the previous year.
From Dec. 16, 2016, to Jan. 2, 2017, the PNP said there were a total of 224 incidents, lower by 43 percent compared to the previous year of 521.
Some 189 cases were related to firecrackers while 23 were cases of indiscriminate firing of firearms and 12 stray bullet incidents.
PNP deputy chief for operations Deputy Director General Ramon Apolinario said President Duterte’s tough image played a role in the decrease.
“That’s part of the psychology because of the strict implementation of our President, a lot of people were afraid to use firecrackers,” Apolinario said in a news briefing at Camp Crame last Monday afternoon.
The early information drive against the use of firecrackers and inspection of fireworks stalls also played a role in the reduction, Apolinario added.
For cases of stray bullets, 12 were recorded this year, lower compared to 55 cases last year.
PNP chief Dela Rosa earlier recalled all police personnel from vacation and deployed them in areas with history of indiscriminate firing from 5 p.m. of Dec. 31 to 5 a.m. of Jan. 1 to attain a goal of zero casualty on New Year’s Eve.
It seems effective as only three cases of indiscriminate firing were recorded during that 12-hour period compared to last year’s 38 stray bullet incidents. Two happened in Metro Manila – one each in Taguig City and Quezon City. The other case happened on Dec. 31 in San Jose, Batangas.
The NCRPO recorded only three indiscriminate firing incidents this year compared to four cases last year.
NCRPO chief Albayalde pointed out that the three involved in indiscriminate firing were identified as Police Officer 1 Ronel Pantig of the Pasig police, PO1 Daniel Castillo of the Raxabago police station in Tondo and Corporal Lovelyson Cutaso of the military.
Castillo is now detained at Manila Police District, Cutaso is held at Taguig City Police Station while Pantig remains at large.
The DOH in Region 1 recorded at least 56 firecracker victims as of yesterday.
Ana Fe Perez of DOH said most of the victims suffered injuries on their eyes, chest, hands and legs.
Of the 56 victims, Pangasinan has the most number with 39 followed by La Union with seven, Ilocos Sur six and Ilocos Norte with four.
In Pangasinan, the police reported that there was no stray bullet casualty during the New Year revelry.
Supt. Jackie Candelario, deputy police director for operations and spokesperson for the Pangasinan police, said their campaign against illegal discharge of firearms was very positive.
Anna Ma. Teresa de Guzman, provincial health officer in Pangasinan, said their report as of Jan. 1 showed that the 50 firecracker injuries were lower by 46 compared to the same period last year. - With Emmanuel Tupas, Non Alquitran, John Unson, Jun Elias, Lino de la Cruz