Central Visayas firecracker injuries up this year

CEBU, Philippines —  Despite the massive anti-firecracker campaign of authorities, the regional Health department office continues to record injuries related to its use, and has increased even year on year.

The Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (RESU) of the Department of Health (DOH)-7 has counted at least 11 firecracker-inflicted injuries, wherein one of the individuals was admitted due to the seriousness of the case.

Significantly, all of these cases are reported from Cebu.

While the provinces of Bohol, Siquijor and Negros Oriental marked zero-injuries.

Dr. Shelbay Blanco, DOH-7 medical officer and RESU cluster head, said 11 firecracker-related injuries were logged at Cebu hospitals and the different health centers and facilities from December 16 to 25.

"We have a total of 11 firecrackers related injuries from all hospitals, both private and public in Region 7. It is 37.5 percent higher as compared to same period last year with eight firecrackers related injuries," Blanco told The FREEMAN.

Police Regional Office-7 Director Debold Sinas said the celebration of Christmas was generally peaceful, despite the number of injured due to firecrackers, stray bullet and indiscriminate firing.

“The people that were recorded to be injured for firecracker incidents, stray bullet and indiscriminate firing have been steadily decreasing,” said Sinas in a press conference yesterday.

Sinas said indiscriminate firing injury was just one this year as compared to five last year.

Richie Mar Octubre, 18, got injured from the gun of her own father, Rey Octubre, 49, in Barangay Lucob Calape, Bohol.

Eliser Crescencio, 28, from Barangay Balintawak Talibon, Bohol, on the other hand, was a victim of a stray bullet.

The police also confiscated a of P674,959 worth of firecrackers within the region, more than P400,000 of which was recovered by the Cebu City Police Office.

Superintendent Emelie Santos, the deputy city director for operations, said that these items were confiscated in an inspection last Sunday until Monday at the South Road Properties.

The firecrackers will be destroyed on the 28th this month.

Blanco said eight of the patients were treated already and were sent home, however, two of the injured refused to be medicated and preferred home-based treatment.

FIGURES

He said the 11 cases were from Lapu-Lapu City (4); Cebu City (2); Cordova (2); Minglanilla (1); Talisay City (1); and Consolacion (1).

The DOH-7 has been warning the public against the harmful effects of the use of firecrackers.

Blanco said two of the patients had been amputated from the blast of the firecrackers while the nine patients suffered from burns.

He said the youngest of the patients is eight years old. Most of the patients that experience injuries because of firecrackers belong to children age group.

The commonly used firecrackers include Indie Bomb; Kwitis; Triangle; Hotdog; and Labintador.

Blanco, however, said only four of the patients actually used firecrackers; the seven were only involved because they were nearby.

He noted that majority of the incidents were reported at home where there could have been strict supervision from parents, or adults themselves should have avoided the use of firecrackers.

Blanco also said that among the 11 firecracker incidence, two of the patients were actually drunk.

Cebu City

The Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC) has recorded three firecracker-related injuries during the celebration of Christmas here.

Hospital Administrator Kenneth Siasar said these patients suffered minor injuries. No names of patients were released, as of press time.

On the other hand, City Councilor David Tumulak, deputy mayor for peace and order matters, said he has been monitoring holiday-related incidents.

“Pasalamat ta’s information dissemination sa syudad apil ang media, ang pag-ban sa pabuto sa balay, deployment sa barangay tanods ug kapolisan,” he told The FREEMAN.

For last year, Tumulak recalled that there were less than 10 incidents related to firecracker injuries.

“Atong gipangandaman, gikuyawan nato ang New Year kay daghan gyud ana magpabuto maong remind lang ta sa public nga as much as possible dili lang magpabuto. Mag gamit lang og mga devices nga maka-cause og saba except pyrotechnics and firecrackers ug ang firearms,” he said.

Tumulak said the city, with the help of the barangay tanods and law enforcers, will continue to assist the public to ensure their security and safety throughout the holiday season and beyond.

The city government already regulates the distribution, production, and selling of pyrotechnics under the City Ordinance 2290 which also designates SRP as firecracker zone.

All vendors of firecrackers at South Road Properties will be allowed to vend until December 31 only.

Generally Peaceful

The police offices of the cities of Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu have declared both cities as “generally peaceful” during the Christmas celebration.

"Regarding sa Christmas celebration, no untoward incidents ta, very peaceful celebration," Mandaue City Police Office Director Julian Entoma said.

He said no one was reported to have been injured because of the use of firecrackers.

In Lapu-Lapu City, however, about five persons were sent to the hospital after being victimized by fireworks. Their condition is now stable.

Senior Superintendent Limuel Obon said one of the victims' neighbors lighted a kwitis which was not properly positioned.

"Slight injuries ra pero outpatient sila. Ang usa naputol ang tudlo tungod sa shotgun (nga pabuto)," Obon said.

Last December 23, the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office seized P4,380 worth of firecrackers that were illegally sold in Barangay Babag.

The owners of the items reportedly did not have permits to sell, and when the police arrived, they immediately ran away and left their displayed items on the area.

Obon urged residents not to use firecrackers in celebrating Christmas and New Year.

"The manner sa paggamit, you are putting yourself in danger," he said.

The MCPO has confiscated firecrackers like piccolo, triangle, and kwitis worth P3,600 from the different areas of the city.

Selling of firecrackers or pyrotechnics is prohibited based on the city's ordinance, Entoma said.

"Bisan og naay allowed nga pabuto nga ibaligya, atoa gihapon gipang confiscate kay no firecracker zone man ta sa Mandaue," he said. — Christell Fatima M. Tudtud, May B. Miasco, Mae Clydyl L. Avila, GAN (FREEMAN)