CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) — The Department of Health Center for Health Development Northern Mindanao (DOH-CHDNM), Philippine National Police (PNP)-10, and Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)-10 announced they are on full alert status during the Yuletide season from Christmas to New Year celebrations to ensure that health and safety concerns of the region are addressed and attended to.
In Talakayan sa PIA: Konsultayo Series on Iwas Paputok Campaign 2024, Dr. Tristan Jediah V. Labitad, head of the non-communicable diseases cluster, DOH-CHDNM, shared they are on code white, which means all government hospitals and rural health units are on standby for any untoward health incidents related to firecrackers or fireworks injuries and even pertaining to heart disease and stroke.
“Department of Health advocacy is for us to have healthy food preparation sa ato-ang mga lamisa sa atong pagtagbo sa Christmas ug sa bag-ong tuig. Makita nato nga daghan ga-increase sa kaso sa hypertension, mga kaso sa heart disease, kaso sa high blood nga na stroke during the season,” he said.
(The Department of Health’s advocacy is for us to have healthy food preparation on our tables when we meet at Christmas and in the new year. We can see that there is a lot of increase in cases of hypertension, cases of heart disease, and cases of high blood stroke during the season.)
Another one is a campaign to Iwas Paputok (avoid firecrackers). “Kung maputol inyong tudlo, or kana sa inyong tiil, dili na gyud na mutubo ha, wala na na siya’y refill (If you cut your finger or your foot, it won’t be able to grow anymore; it won’t have a refill),” he said.
Meanwhile, Labitad also campaigned for road safety. For people traveling for a vacation or going back to their provinces, ensure that the vehicles to be used are checked and in good condition; meanwhile, drivers should be devoid of any alcohol influence.
“High time karon nga dili na nato abusaran atong lawas, we can always celebrate and happy lang nga walay masakitan sa pasko. Happy na healthy pa,” he said.
(It’s high time now that we don’t abuse our bodies; we can always celebrate and be happy that we don’t get hurt on Christmas. Happy to be healthy.)
There are also designated firecracker zones or display zones, according to PCol Ramil J. Waper, chief of the Regional Operations Division of the Police Regional Office-10.
“We are implementing the ordinances nga gimugna sa atong mga municipal and city mayor sa ban on the use of firecrackers, gimando-an pud na sila sa (they are mandated by) DILG. In fact, there is the DILG memo circular 2023–202 addressed to all city and municipal mayors encouraging the ban on the individual, personal, and household use of firecrackers,” Waper said.
Their primary responsibility during this celebration is to enforce the law, with a particular focus on investigating those who have violated the sale of fireworks.
“Katong nag-violate gikan sa manufacturer among dakpon, katong wala nag-display sa designated zone, among dakpon, katong nag-display sila sa bawal na paputok: Piccolo, Bakus ni Hudas, amo na siya pandakpon. In that way, kung masikop nato na sila ma-prevent nato ang pagbaligya, dili nana threat, ma-prevent nato ang injuries,” he said.
(We will arrest those who violate, from the manufacturer; those who do not display in the designated zone, we will arrest; those who display prohibited fireworks: Piccolo, Hudas’ belt, we will arrest them. In that way, if we catch them, we can prevent the sale; they will not be a threat anymore, and we can prevent the injuries.)
Meanwhile, Fire Senior Superintendent (FSSUPT) Richie E. Fabre, regional chief of staff of BFP-10, reminded homeowners or renters to always turn off and unplug Christmas lights and electric decor before leaving the house and even before sleeping at night.
“If you have electrical decors, dapat kung mulakaw ka sainyong balay, i-shut off gyud na nimo tanan. Og kung matulog ka, i-shut off gyud na nimo tanan. Why? In previous incidents, per record of the BFP, daghan nangamatay, nasunog kay wala na-unplug ang mga decor,” he said.
(If you have electrical decor, when you leave your house, you have to shut it all down. And if you sleep, you also need to shut them down. Why? In previous incidents, according to the record of the BFP, many died or burned because the decorations were not unplugged.)
He also reminded consumers to only purchase Christmas lights and electric decor with PS Mark or ICC stickers, as these have undergone quality standard testing.
For those who will still buy fireworks and firecrackers, ensure to buy only those from legal sellers because they are monitored and have complied with requirements for the permits to sell from the PNP, BFP, and local government units, ensuring the safety of their products, he added. (JMOR/PIA-10)
