BAGUIO CITY (PIA) — Government agencies are enjoined to strengthen collaboration while local government units are urged to strictly implement the ban on fireworks and firecrackers to prevent fireworks-related incidents(FWRI) during celebrations.
Department of Health – Cordillera and the Police Regional Office – Cordillera made the appeal following the increase of FWRI victims last Christmas holiday revelries.
DOH-CAR Regional Epidemiology Surveillance and Statistics Cluster OIC-Head Victoria Malicdan, in the Kapihan sa Baguio on January 10, said that a total of 41 cases of FWRI was recorded from across the Cordillera region from December 21, 2023 to January 6, 2024.
The figure is 78 percent, or 18 cases higher compared to the 23 cases recorded during the 2023 new year. This is also 86% higher than or 19 cases 5-year average.
DOH-CAR Regional Epidemiology Surveillance and Statistics Cluster OIC-Head Victoria Malicdan reports on fireworks-related incidents in the region during the holiday revelries, which increased coimpared to 2023 data. She calls for stronger collaboration among stakeholders and stricter implementation of FWRI-related laws during celebrations.
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.
Meanwhile, PROCor Regional Operations Division Chief PCol. Jeremias Oyawon said they will continue to call on LGUs to strictly implement their ordinances on the manufacturing, sale and use of fireworks and firecrackers.
The PRO-Cor has confiscated a total of 14,609 assorted firecrackers and fireworks amounting to P226,724.50
Oyawon said with the lifting of the State of Public Health Emergency due to COVID-19 after two years, some individuals took it as an opportunity to traditionally welcome the new year including the use of the fireworks and firecrackers.
He said they will also look on the regulation of selling of fireworks and firecrackers online that have contributed in the proliferation of fireworks and firecrackers in the different parts of the region. (JDP/RMC- PIA CAR) (Procor photo)
PROCor Regional Operations Division Chief PCol. Jeremias Oyawon reports on the their accomplishments relative to the Iwas Paputok campaign.
