ILOILO – From Dec. 21 to 30, this province recorded 14 firecracker blast injuries – the highest among the provinces and highly urbanized cities in Region 6.
The Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO) has thus urged caution as Ilonggos welcome year 2023.
The IPHO recorded one firecracker blast injury case each in Passi City and in the towns of Santa Barbara, Dingle, Oton, Leganes, Maasin, Sara, Cabatuan, Lemery, Dueñas, Calinog, San Enrique, San Miguel, and Zarraga.
For the same period in 2021, only nine were recorded.
For the entire Western Visayas, 33 firecracker blast injuries were logged from Dec. 21 to 30.
Dr. Maria Socorro Colmenares-Quiñon, IPHO head, confirmed that Iloilo so far has the highest number of such injuries in the region, followed by Negros Occidental (10), Bacolod City (four), and Antique, Aklan, Capiz, Guimaras, and Iloilo City (one each).
This is higher than the 20 recorded incidents from the same period last year: Iloilo (nine), Negros Occidental (four), Capiz (three), Bacolod City (two), and Aklan and Iloilo City (one each).
The firecracker-related injuries were reported by sentinel hospitals and non-sentinel sites to the Online National Electronic Injury Surveillance System of the Department of Health (DOH).
For his part, Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. reminds Ilonggos to avoid lighting firecrackers if inebriated for a more joyful New Year celebration.
Intoxication is a common cause of firecracker blast injuries, he pointed out.
“Kon naka-inom kita kon New Year indi na mag-intra sa palupok,” Defensor said.
In Negros Occidental, a man nearly lost his right hand for picking up a lighted firecracker during a drinking session with relatives in Bago City on Dec. 25.
According to the Bago City police, Rex Gallendo’s brother, Eduardo, lit a “whistle bomb” and threw it on the ground.
For still unclear reasons, however, Gallendo, 45, picked up the firecracker which then exploded in his right hand.
Defensor also urged parents to always keep an eye on their children, especially minors, as the demographics of injuries are mostly teens.
Colmenares-Quiñon said the New Year is best celebrated with intact and unharmed body parts.
“Gani paghalong gid kay manami gid nga kumpleto ang aton parts of the body and complete kita nga family nga naga-celebrate kag naga-welcome sang 2023,” she said.
Dr. May Ann Sta. Lucia, OIC-chief of DOH-6’s Local Health Support Division, urged the public to refrain from using firecrackers in residential areas and areas near factories with combustible materials as this is prohibited.
“DOH is advocating for alternative New Year’s celebrations. We could have musical instruments, a sound system, cooking utensils, and other items that could create noise to celebrate the New Year merrily. Let us be safe and healthy as we celebrate the Yuletide season and the New Year with 10 complete fingers,” said Sta. Lucia.
Pursuant to Executive Order (EO) No. 28 and Republic Act (RA) 7183, which regulate the sale, manufacture, distribution, and use of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices, here are the firecrackers allowed for sale and use: Baby Rocket, Bawang, El Diablo, Judas’ Belt, Paper Caps, Pulling of Strings, Sky Rocket (Kwitis), and Small “Triangulo”.
As for the pyrotechnic devices, allowed are Butterfly, Fountain, Jumbo Regular and Special, Luces, Mabuhay, Roman Candle, Sparklers, Trompillo, Whistle Device, and all kinds of pailaw.
On the other hand, the prohibited firecrackers are the following: Watusi, Piccolo, Poppop, Five Star, Pla-pla, Lolo Thunder, Giant Bawang, Giant Whistle Bomb, Atomic Bomb, Super Lolo, Atomic Triangle, Goodbye Bading, Large-sized Judas Belt, Goodbye Philippines, Goodbye de Lima, Bin Laden, Hello Columbia, Mother Rockets, Goodbye Napoles, Coke-in-Can, Super Yolanda, Pillbox, Mother Rockets, Boga, Kwiton, and Kabasi./PN
