ILOILO City – With physical celebrations almost back to normal, the Department of Health (DOH) in Western Visayas has stepped up its campaign for safer and healthier holidays.
One campaign focus is the “Iwas Paputok” in partnership with the Philippine National Police and Bureau of Fire Protection, to prevent firecracker-related injuries and stray bullet incidents.
“Best thing gid ‘ya is prevention. Refrain from using firecrackers. We could celebrate Christmas and New Year in a safer and healthier way nga kumpleto ang aton pulo ka tudlo kag waay kita mga injuries,” said Dr. May Ann Sta. Lucia, OIC-chief of DOH Region 6’s Local Health Support Division.
The Health department is advocating alternative modes of making celebratory noise such as musical instruments, videoke and coins, among others.
Sta. Lucia also said holding controlled community fireworks displays is safer. Executive Order (EO) No. 8 enjoins local government units to identify areas where they can conduct community fireworks display for their constituents to enjoy.
Preventive measures relative to the use of firecrackers are also important so as not to congest hospitals with victims, she added.
“We don’t want to see hospitals overwhelmed by firecracker-related injuries and stray bullet cases because we are still responding to the pandemic,” said Sta. Lucia.
Aside from firecracker-related injuries and COVID-19 cases, hospitals are also anticipating possible cases of food poisoning and acute gastroenteritis among other health problems.
Nevertheless, she added that all hospitals are prepared for health-related emergencies. A “white code” alert has been declared across the country.
Under a “white code” alert, hospitals must be ready to admit victims of firecracker blasts, among others.
This status of the hospitals as well as the monitoring of firecracker-related injuries in the region kicked off Dec. 21 and will run until Jan. 5, 2023.
“All hospitals are always trying to address all of these cases in terms of logistics and manpower augmentation, that is why all their personnel are on call, said Sta. Lucia.
In the past years, Western Visayas was among the top regions with the highest number of firecracker-related injuries despite the massive campaign, she lamented.
Sta. Lucia said one probable factor for this was the region’s having more firecracker retailers – around 700, higher than those in Bulacan and National Capital Region.
Region 6 has firecracker factories in Iloilo City and Negros Occidental.
Sta. Lucia said the Filipino tradition of making noise during New Year’s Eve to drive away evil spirits is a reason why people continue to use firecrackers.
“Let us not forget the real reason for this season is not the party, not Santa Claus, it is not the gifts that you receive or give. The real reason is Christ – born to save mankind from its sins,” Sta. Lucia said./PN
