MANILA, Philippines — As of Christmas Day, the Department of Health (DOH) has recorded a total of 28 fireworks-related injuries (FWRI).
In its latest FWRI Surveillance Report, the DOH said 16 new cases of FWRI were reported as of 5:59 a.m. of Dec. 25. These included one eye injury of a passive onlooker at a designated area.
“The new cases range from 6 to 35 years of age, with only one female,” the report noted.
The DOH said 94 percent of the cases happened at home or in the street, with a majority (31 percent) of these occurring in the National Capital Region.
“Seven (44 percent) of the fireworks involved were legal,” added the DOH.
The total count is now at 28, with 10 (36 percent) cases having passive involvement, the DOH reported.
“Fireworks use both at or near the home and even at designated areas can still harm even those not lighting them. It is unsafe to use any firework, legal or illegal, at home or nearby streets,” the DOH noted.
The agency stressed it is better for professionals in community fireworks displays to do the show, with watchers far away at a safe distance. “Many victims are not even involved in lighting them. There is legal basis and a moral duty for local leaders and the police to ensure safety from fireworks,” the agency added.
Crackdown
The Philippine National Police reported on Monday that at least 34,031 firecrackers with an estimated value of P180,240 were confiscated during their crackdown on illegal fireworks.
PNP public information chief Col. Jean Fajardo issued a reminder on Monday to exercise caution, particularly avoiding the use of prohibited fireworks.
“The public should be mindful of the potential dangers associated with prohibited fireworks. We will be enforcing stringent measures to ensure safety,” Fajardo said in Filipino.
Fajardo assured the public that security measures would continue to be intensified as part of the ongoing preparations for the New Year celebration, with deployed personnel remaining on duty without any reduction.
Meanwhile, the PNP reported a total of 19 incidents involving firecrackers and indiscriminate firing. As of Dec. 25, at least six incidents were recorded for illegal discharge of firearms resulting in one injury.
Seven incidents were recorded for the illegal use of firecrackers, five were recorded as injured, while two died due to a firecracker-related incident.
Meanwhile, an illegal manufacturer of prohibited firecrackers was arrested on Sunday in Bocaue, Bulacan.
Reports reaching Bulacan police director Col. Relly Arnedo said a 38-year-old man from Sitio Bihonan, Barangay Biñang 1st in Bocaue was arrested for manufacturing illegal firecrackers at around 4 p.m. on Sunday.
Police confiscated two pieces of Judas belt, four packs of kabase, four packs of plapla, 10 pieces of kingkong and other paraphernalia for making firecrackers.
The suspect is now facing charges for violation of Republic Act 7183, otherwise known as the Firecracker Law. — Ramon Efren Lazaro, Mark Ernest Villeza