Based on the DOH-CAR Firework-Related Injury Surveillance Report, the province of Kalinga recorded the highest with 13 cases, followed by Baguio City with 12, Abra with eight, Apayao with four, Benguet with three and Ifugao with one case.
Only Mountain Province did not record FWRI for the period.
Of the total cases, 36 males and five females were injured, and most were minors aged 16 years old and below. The youngest FWRI victim was a five- year old boy while the oldest was 62 years old.
Thirty two of the cases suffered blast or burn injury, six had eye injuries, and two had multiple injuries to the other parts of their bodies.
Both illegal and legal fireworks caused the injuries of the victims. Most of the cases were active users of fireworks, and most occurred in their residences.
Included in the data was a victim of stray bullet, a 60 year old male from Baguio City who sustained a gunshot wound on his left shoulder.
The rise in FWRI cases happened in spite of the Iwas Paputok campaign and activities for healthier and safer Christmas and New Year celebrations.
Malicdan said to prevent FWRI, there is a need for stronger collaboration among key stakeholders from the different government agencies, local government units, the media and the community.
She said that one activity that needs to be done is conduct of the re-orientation on the FWRI surveillance.
