ZAMBOANGA CITY (PIA) – The Department of Health (DOH)-9 has recorded a total of 28 cases of fireworks-related injury (FWRI) in the Zamboanga Peninsula as of January 2, 2025. This is part of the department’s initiative to provide surveillance for yuletide injuries.
Out of the 28 cases, 17 were reported from Zamboanga City, 6 from Zamboanga del Norte, 2 from Zamboanga del Sur, 2 from the Sulu Sanitarium, and 1 from Zamboanga Sibugay. The majority of the injuries incurred were due to Piccolo, with 6 recorded cases or 21.4% of the total recorded count.
According to DOH-9, ZamPen has a lower count of cases for the current year compared to 2023, which had 60 recorded FWRI cases. During his recent appearance on the Kapihan na Zamboanga on December 18, DOH-9 Medical Officer IV Dr. Rolando Lilienthal Bucoy shared that the majority of injury types in 2023 were hand injuries, with 37 or at least 62% of all injuries sustained. The majority of these cases involved males, at 91.7%, with the age group affected being predominantly 11-20 years old.
Dr. Bucoy also shared that DOH’s efforts to reduce FWRI nationwide have seen success in certain years, particularly during the pandemic, when restrictions on gatherings and fireworks use led to a sharp decline in injuries. However, the cases surged in 2023, recording the fifth-highest number in a decade and indicating the challenges of maintaining progress as economic activities and traditional celebrations resumed post-pandemic.
DOH is committed to addressing both the frequency and severity of FWRI, especially during the yuletide season. “Our current goal is to decrease FWRI by 25% from the 610 cases recorded in 2023 while sustaining zero fatalities,” Dr. Bucoy said.
Part of DOH’s efforts to educate citizens includes campaigns like Iwas Paputok and the Ligtas Christmas Campaign. This encourages participation in organised community fireworks displays and advocates for safer alternatives in celebrating the Yuletide festivities. (EDT/JFT/PIA-Zamboanga)
