Firecracker injuries on New Year’s Eve down 64% – DOH

MANILA, Philippines — Over 140 people suffered firecracker-related injuries as the country welcomed the New Year, the Department of Health (DOH) reported yesterday.

An additional 141 cases pushed to 340 the total number of firecracker-related injuries nationwide, from Dec. 22 to Jan. 1, the DOH said.

The total cases are 64 percent fewer than those recorded in the same period in 2023.

The DOH also recorded a 34-percent decline in reports of firecracker-related injuries from 62 sentinel sites nationwide.

The figure could still go up due to late reporting of cases, the agency noted.

Of the 340 firecracker-related injuries, 239 are aged 19 and below, while 101 are aged 20 and above.

Males comprised 299 of the cases, while females were at 14.

Eye injuries, amputation of body parts and burns were among the top injuries sustained as a result of the firecrackers used.

More than half or 202 of the total cases were caused by illegal firecrackers such as boga, 5-star and piccolo.

About 54.7 percent or 186 patients actively used firecrackers when they sustained injuries.

A 77-year-old man from Cuyapo, Nueva Ecija died on Dec. 22 from firecracker-related injuries.

In Pangasinan, a 44-year-old man died yesterday due to head injuries and skull fracture after reportedly lighting firecrackers that abruptly exploded.

About 84 cases of fireworks-related injuries were recorded by the Provincial Health Office in Pangasinan from Dec. 21 to Jan. 1.

In Central Luzon, 18 firecracker-related injuries were reported yesterday, bringing to 41 the total number of cases recorded in the region from Dec. 21 to Jan 1.

Meanwhile, firecracker-related injuries in Calabarzon have reportedly decreased compared with the previous year.

Thirty-nine incidents were recorded from Dec. 1 to 31 compared to 44 in the same period in 2023, Calabarzon police director Lt. Col. Chitadel Gaoiran said yesterday.

From Dec. 1, 2022 to Jan. 6, 2023, Gaoiran said 273 incidents were recorded.

About 69 incidents were recorded from Dec. 1, 2023 to Jan. 1, 2024, she noted.

“There was a big difference and tremendous decrease of firecracker incidents in 2024 compared with the previous year of 2023 in the region due to the massive campaign against illegal firecrackers,” Gaoiran told The STAR.

More injuries expected

The management of East Avenue Medical Center (EAMC) in Quezon City is expecting firecracker-related injuries to surpass numbers in 2023 after 21 patients were admitted to the hospital.

Five days remain in the hospital’s monitoring period, from Dec. 21 to Jan. 6, EAMC’s Ligtas Paskuhan 2024 spokesman John Paul Ner said.

The hospital recorded 24 cases of firecracker-related injuries in the same period in 2023.

The public has been advised not to pick up unexploded firecrackers.

Firecrackers seized

Nearly P70,000 worth of firecrackers and improvised cannons or boga were seized in Manila.

Officers of the Manila Police District (MPD) have confiscated prohibited firecrackers at Baseco and Parola compounds in Tondo, Manila.

Children were caught using the confiscated items, such as pla-pla, boga, Judas belt and kwitis, MPD director Brig. Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay said.

Indiscriminate firing

More incidents of indiscriminate discharge of firearms during the holiday season have been recorded by the Philippine National Police (PNP).

About 27 cases of indiscriminate firing of guns nationwide have been recorded since Oplan Ligtas Paskuhan started last Dec. 16, PNP public information officer Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said.

The figure is 35 percent higher compared to 20 cases last year.

Victims of indiscriminate discharge of firearms went down by at least 28.57 percent, from seven to five. Three victims were from Metro Manila and one each from Calabarzon and the Cordilleras.

Cases of stray bullets, meanwhile, went down by 53.84 percent, from 13 cases to six.

Fajardo said they expect the figure to increase as more reports are submitted by regional offices.

“Some cases are directed to hospitals and not immediately reported to the PNP, so we are anticipating the numbers to change,” she said.

Twenty-one suspects were arrested for indiscriminately firing their handguns, while seven remain at large.

Of the people arrested, nine were from Calabarzon, wherein seven were civilians, with one police officer and a security guard.

Three other suspects are from Metro Manila, followed by three in Western Visayas, two in Northern Mindanao and one each in Central Luzon, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas and the Zamboanga Peninsula.

Seventeen firearms were confiscated from the suspects, Fajardo said.

Overall, New Year’s Eve festivities were peaceful across the country, she noted.

At least 297 people suffered firecracker-related injuries during the Yuletide season, Fajardo said.

Police officers have arrested 73 people and confiscated 593,094 illegal firecrackers valued at P3.92 million.

In Cavite and Quezon, two people were arrested for allegedly using firearms during festivities.

A suspect identified as alias Kristian was apprehended by Calabarzon police for illegally discharging guns at his residence in Barangay Toclong, Kawit.

He admitted to using firearms and surrendered an M4 5.56 caliber rifle and a .9mm handgun.

Rolando Ferrer of Tayabas City, Quezon was arrested for allegedly firing a .45-caliber handgun while drinking with his relatives.

Ferrer reportedly failed to present documents for his firearm.

Meanwhile in Bulacan, fireworks stakeholders enjoyed brisk business for the New Year revelry, according to Philippine Pyrotechnics Manufacturers and Dealers Association Inc. president Lea Alapide.

Sales of fireworks products, particularly traditional ones, were brisk this season, Bocaue Multisectoral Advisory Council official Justina Gabuyo said.  – Emmanuel Tupas, Ed Amoroso, Ghio Ong, Cesar Ramirez, Ramon Efren Lazaro