DOH reiterates call for safer holiday celebrations in the next years 

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato (PIA) – The Department of Health—Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD) in Soccsksargen has reiterated its call for safer celebrations, urging the public to explore alternative methods for Christmas and New Year in the next years.

DOH made this call amid the reported increase in fireworks-related injuries from December 21, 2024, to January 6, 2025, in the Soccsksargen region (Region 12).

Based on its record, a total of 100 injuries occurred across Region 12, specifically during the recent holiday season, marking a 14 percent increase compared to the previous year’s recorded cases of the same period.

Arjohn C. Gangoso, the health education and promotion officer (HEPO) of DOH-CHD in Soccsksargen, discussed during the Talakayang Dose radio program of the Philippine Information Agency the department’s efforts to mitigate risks during the recent Christmas and New Year celebrations.

With regards to our celebrations noong Christmas and new year, isa sa mga talagang ginawa ng ating kagawaran, with the help of course ng ating mga provincial and city local government units po natin ay siniguro na mayroong enough information ang ating mga community sa iba’t-ibang protection para sa pagcelebrate ng ating Christmas and New Year,” he said.

(Regarding our Christmas and New Year celebrations, our department, with the assistance of our provincial and city local government units, worked to ensure that our communities were adequately informed about the various protections available for these festivities.)

Isa sa ginawa po ng ating kagawaran ay nakipagcoordinate din sa iba’t -ibang mga national government agencies and even partners para mabigyan ng iba’t-ibang interventions ang ating community,” Gangoso added, emphasizing the role of the agency in raising public awareness on the possible dangers brought about by firecrackers.

(One of the things our department did was coordinate with various national government agencies and even partners to provide different interventions for our community.)

But despite the efforts made by the agency to keep people in the community safe and well-informed while celebrating, the number of cases still increased.

Pre-celebration po natin, isa sa talagang ginawa natin October and November pa lang, nagkaroon po tayo ng series of orientations sa ating Disease Reporting Units for our fireworks related injury surveillance and also sa tulong ng ating mga LGU HEPOs nagconduct din ng iba’t-ibang advocacy campaigns and information dissemination sa mga respective communities for this,” Gangoso said.

(We conducted orientations for Disease Reporting Units in October and November, as well as advocacy campaigns with LGU HEPOs for fireworks-related injury surveillance.

DOH revealed that among the 100 recorded cases, three individuals required amputations while 21 individuals suffered eye injuries.

It also said it remains committed to strengthening its efforts to protect the public during the holiday season in the coming years, advocating for public health and safety and encouraging everyone to prioritize their well-being throughout 2025. (CRM – PIA Region 12)

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