CEBU CITY, Cebu (PIA) – The Department of Health Central Visayas Center for Health Development (DOH-7) urged the public to exercise caution this holiday season.
Dr. Shelbay Blanco, DOH-CVCHD Medical Officer IV of the Regional Health Emergency Management Section, disclosed during the Kapihan sa PIA forum that from 2022 to 2023, there were 83 firecracker-related incidents in the region, affecting children and teens aged 10 to 14 years old, mostly male.
He noted that parents should closely monitor their children, especially teenagers.
“Mostly ani nila kay kanang mopunit ra gani kay nikagar ang paboto. Mao na giawhag sad nato ang mga parents to nga bantayan atong mga anak nga dili magpataka sad ug punit-punit unya bantayan ang mga ginadili nga paboto sama sa watusi, mga kwitis, mga piccolo and other fireworks.” said Blanco.
(Most of them are those who just pick up unexploded firecrackers. That’s why we are also urging parents to watch over their children and prevent them from carelessly picking up anything, as well as to monitor banned firecrackers like watusi, kwitis, piccolo, and other fireworks.)
Blanco also stressed that the most common firecracker injuries are hand injuries.
“For the last two years, ang most common injury jud kay hand injury and naa sad ta naapektohan sa may ulo and mata. So mao na atong likayan nga mosugat ta sa bag-ong tuig nga kulang-kulang ta ug kamot or dili ta mabulhog sa paboto.” added Blanco.
(For the last two years, the most common injuries have been hand injuries, and we’ve also had cases affecting the head and eyes. That’s what we need to avoid—to start the New Year missing a hand or getting blinded by firecrackers.)
Based on statistics as of January 2024, Cebu Province recorded the highest number of firecracker incidents at 47 percent, followed by Cebu City and Bohol.
He also encouraged the public to wear masks if they have symptoms of cough and colds, especially in crowded places.
“Kung duna kay simptomas sa trangkaso, flu especially aning panahon nga mokalit ug uwan, init so mo-wear jud ta ug mask especially in crowded places para paglikay sad nato nga ni-ubos atong resistensiya unya at the same time dili sad ta makatakod sad sa uban mga mouli sa ilang tagsa-tagsa ka pamilya then take jud ta ug necessary medication. Kung dili man gani makaya adto dayon sa doktor labi na kadtong na’ay mga hypertension medication, taas ug blood pressure or diabetic kay it’s this time of the year nga ato usab i-ready atong kaugalingon before ta mosabak sa handaan,” added Blanco.
(If you have symptoms of the flu, especially during this season when the weather can suddenly change from rain to heat, we should wear masks, especially in crowded places, to protect ourselves from weakened immunity and prevent spreading it to others. It’s important to take necessary medications. If it’s too much to handle, go to the doctor right away, especially for those on hypertension medication, with high blood pressure, or diabetic. This is the time of year when we need to prepare ourselves before attending holiday feasts.)
Blanco also stressed the importance of road safety, especially for those traveling by vehicle.
He reminded drivers to practice using seatbelts and for motorcycle riders to wear proper helmets and riding gear.
Additionally, DOH-7 is coordinating with the Office of the Civil Defense and the Department of Social Welfare and Development for the close monitoring of Mt. Kanlaon, which erupted on Dec. 9.
“DOH Central Visayas is also closely coordinating with the Negros Island Region and is also placed in code white and of course, our DOH regional operations center has been activated 24/7 sad and ongoing atong inventory sa atong logistics. Naka augment na ta ug mga tambal. We are still doing our inventory para mas makahatag pa ta ug dugang tambal,” Blanco noted.
(DOH Central Visayas is also closely coordinating with the Negros Island Region, which is also on Code White. Our DOH Regional Operations Center has been activated 24/7, and our logistics inventory is ongoing. We have augmented our supply of medicines and are continuing our inventory to provide additional medicines.)
Human resources for health have also been deployed to address urgent concerns of the Mt. Kanlaon evacuees, on top of the Code White alert for hospitals in the province. (MYP/PIA7)
