CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) — The Department of Health Center for Health Development Northern Mindanao (DOH-CHDNM) announced that there were no major fireworks-related injuries or deaths; however, a total of 42 fireworks-related injuries were tallied from December 21, 2024, to January 6, 10.53 percent higher compared to the previous year.
In an episode of Talakayan sa PIA: Konsultayo Series, Dr. Tristan Jediah Labitad, DOH-CHDNM head for non-communicable diseases cluster, shared that out of the 42 cases of fireworks and firecrackers-related injuries, 38 (90.47 percent) of injuries involved illegal firecrackers. Nine or 21.43 percent, of injuries were caused by Piccolo.
“Dinha ta na sad kay mi-increase despite sa atong mga advocacy, but it’s good to note na lang pud nga kani nga mga kaso wala tay naputlan nga mga kamot, nakabsan sa kinabuhi, nabuta ang mga mata, and all those worse case scenarios nga pwede mahitabo kung mabiktima ka ani nga mga paboto. Kasagara nila nanga-discharge ran pud sila after paghatag sa first aid, og pag-check up sa ilaha didto sa emergency room,” Labitad said.
(This is where we are sad because we have seen an increase despite our advocacy, but it is good to note that in these cases we do not have amputated hands, death, blinded eyes, and all those worse-case scenarios that can happen if you fall victim to these fireworks incidents. They [victims] are usually discharged after giving first aid and after a check-up from the emergency room.)
Of the 42 cases, Bukidnon had the most (15), 35.71 percent; followed by Misamis Occidental (11), 26.19 percent; Cagayan de Oro City (6), 14.29 percent; Misamis Oriental (4), 9.52 percent; Lanao del Norte (3), 7.14 percent; and Iligan City (3), 7.14 percent. Camiguin, on the other hand, reported no cases.
The doctor also urged the local government units to further strengthen local ordinances to strictly implement community fireworks displays at designated areas only. Additionally, the doctor urged parents to take extra care of their children, as 20 out of 22 cases were passive, meaning they were simply victims of firecrackers on the road.
The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)-10 also put in place Oplan Iwas Paputok, which told all field units to step up inspections, public education campaigns, house-to-house inspections, and fire truck visibility, also known as Ugnayan sa Barangay (Connecting with Barangays), to make sure people don’t get hurt by fireworks.
“The Bureau of Fire Protection is also fortunate to report that for the month of December, we recorded a total of 59 fire incidents, but none of those incidents were related to fireworks and firecrackers,” said SSupt. Rommel Villafuerte, BFP-10 assistant regional director for operations.
The Philippine National Police-10 also attributed the orderly and peaceful Yuletide celebration to strong coordination with the BFPn, awareness campaigns or public information, and law enforcement.
“Naa mi programa nga Ligtas Paskuhan 2024, sa among data, from December 15 to January 6, naa mi na-confiscate nga mga firecrackers, over 113,000, and we don’t have victims of stray bullets. Nakadakop kita og three personalities sa illegal discharge of firearms,” PCol. Ramil Waper, Police Regional Office-10 chief of regional community affairs and development division, said.
(We have a Safe Christmas 2024 program; in our data, from December 15 to January 6, we have confiscated firecrackers, over 113,000, and we don’t have victims of stray bullets. We have arrested three personalities for the illegal discharge of firearms.)
Talakayan sa PIA: Konsultayo series is a regular program of the Philippine Information Agency-10 in partnership with the DOH-CHDNM and SM CDO City Uptown to discuss health programs and advocacies of the government. (JMOR/PIA-10)
