Mayor Alfredo Lim has appealed to residents of Manila to avoid dangerous and high-powered firecrackers in celebrating the New Year this midnight.
“I am appealing to our fellow Manileños to avoid using firecrackers to prevent injuries,” Lim said.
The mayor also called on the city residents not to burn tires to avoid polluting the air and inconvenience those suffering from respiratory problems, especially the children and the elderly.
Lim also ordered officials of the city’s hospitals to ensure that their respective facilities will be ready to accommodate firecracker victims whose numbers are expected to increase in tonight’s New Years Eve revelry.
Dr. Fidel Chua, Director of Ospital ng Mayn2la Medical Center (OMMC), said all hospital staff members have been alerted and will be working over time on New Year’s Eve.
Chua also said that based on Lim’s orders, the OMMC will attend to everyone who will seek medical help, whether or not they are residents of Manila. – Edu Punay