188 injured due to firecrackers

MANILA, Philippines — The last day of 2024 saw 188 persons injured due to firecrackers, the Department of Health reported.

Latest data from 62 sentinel hospitals of the DOH showed a total of 188 firecracker-related injuries recorded from Dec. 22 to yesterday morning.

This is 52 percent higher than the 124 total cases logged during the same period last year.

The DOH said 25 additional cases it monitored yesterday brought to 188 the total firecracker-related injuries.

Of the total cases, 152 victims are 19 years old and below while 36 are 20 years old and above.

It also noted that 172 of the victims are males and 16 are females.

The health department added that 136 or 72 percent were caused by illegal firecrackers that included boga, five-star and piccolo.

There were also 123 or 65 percent of victims that were active users of firecrackers.

The department again reminded the public to avoid using firecrackers.

It encouraged New Year revelers to use horns, pots and pans and musical instruments to make noise to welcome the New Year.

“In case of injury, immediately proceed to the nearest health center or call 911 (emergency hotline) or 1555 (DOH emergency) for immediate medical attention,” the DOH said.

535,960 illegal firecrackers confiscated

Police units have confiscated at least 535,960 illegal firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices across the country ahead of the New Year revelry, the Philippine National Police (PNP) reported yesterday.

Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo, PNP public information officer, told reporters in a message on Viber the seized firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices have a combined value of P2.52 million.

Latest data from the PNP showed at least 172 people were injured due to firecrackers since Dec. 16.

Among the items seized were about 70,000 pieces of boga or improvised cannons, which remains an option for people to celebrate the New Year even if the government prohibited the device due to its destructive effects.

The PNP has intensified its drive against illegal firecrackers to minimize cases of firecracker-related injuries during the Yuletide season.

Fajardo said 34 people were arrested for illegally selling firecrackers, 19 from Calabarzon and nine from Metro Manila, followed by four from Central Luzon and one each in Bicol region and Zamboanga Peninsula.

She reiterated the PNP’s warning to the public not to use boga, noting that 18 people were injured due to the device.

Police commanders were ordered to deploy their personnel in community fireworks display areas and firecracker zones to maintain security and prevent injuries.

“Our police force will be on guard together with other government agencies to ensure that we’ll avoid, or at least lessen, the injuries related to the New Year celebration,” Fajardo said in an interview over GMA News’ “Unang Balita.”

Police officers are also on the lookout for fistfight and other violent incidents that may occur among people binge drinking in celebratory events.

She also reminded police officers not to use their firearms in celebrating the New Year, warning them they will face criminal and administrative cases which could lead to their dismissal from service.

A policeman with the rank of corporal assigned in Metro Manila was arrested after he fired his gun in Calabarzon.

Fajardo said the police officer, who was drunk during the incident, is facing cases for indiscriminate firing of a gun and violation of Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition.

A total of 13 people were arrested for indiscriminate firing of guns. Apart from the police officer, another violator from the Bureau of Corrections was arrested in Zamboanga. A security guard was also apprehended in Calabarzon.

The remaining 10 people are civilians, according to Fajardo.

As firecracker injuries continue to rise, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has reminded Filipino consumers to celebrate New Year safely by purchasing only certified fireworks.

“By purchasing certified fireworks, consumers can significantly reduce the risk of accidents and injuries, allowing everyone to enjoy the festivities with peace of mind,” Trade Secretary Cristina Roque said in a statement late Monday.

To guide consumers, the DTI, through the Bureau of Philippine Standards, has released a comprehensive list of firecrackers that have undergone rigorous testing and met the required safety standards.

“The DTI is committed to protecting consumers and ensuring a safe holiday season for all. We encourage everyone to check the official list of certified fireworks before making any purchase and support our efforts in promoting safety,” Roque said.

She urged Filipinos to “celebrate responsibly and prioritize the well-being of ourselves and our loved ones.”

Furthermore, the DTI has encouraged the public to report any consumer violations to the Consumer Care Hotline at 1-DTI (1-384) or send an email to [email protected] and [email protected].

Firecracker ban

Meanwhile, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian has pushed for a bill that would ban all deadly firecrackers that cause injuries during the New Year revelry, amid their rampant sale online.

“Given customers’ increasing propensity for online purchases, we need to put in place legislation that would prohibit the sale and distribution of firecrackers before this becomes a safety concern,” Gatchalian said.

The senator made the remark amid reports of illegal sale online of oversized or “killer” firecrackers.

“The surge in online platforms selling poses new challenges, which is why authorities must adopt innovative ways to address these risks. Collaboration between government agencies, online platforms and local communities is crucial to uphold the ban and promote safer alternatives for celebrations,” the lawmaker stressed.

“We don’t need to resort to firecrackers just to celebrate the New Year. Let us also think of the tragedies it can cause,” he added.

In his Senate Bill 1144, Gatchalian cited the need to pass a law that would complement former president Rodrigo Duterte’s Executive Order (EO) 28 s. 2017, which seeks to regulate the use of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices and limit it to community fireworks displays.

The senator said the EO has not been enough to prevent firecracker-related injuries.

While his bill seeks a ban, it also provides exemptions – with entities allowed to secure a special permit from the PNP’s Firearms and Explosives Office, with the fireworks display allowed to be executed only by professionals technically equipped with skills and knowledge on the use of firecrackers.

The bill seeks to amend Republic Act 7183 or the “Act Regulating the Sale, Manufacture, Distribution and Use of Firecrackers and other Pyrotechnic Devices.”

A proposed P1,000 fine and up to one month imprisonment for the first offense; P3,000 fine and one to three months imprisonment for the second offense and P5,000 fine and three to six months imprisonment for the third offense await those who will violate the proposed law.

A business establishment found violating the bill may have its permit revoked.

In the explanatory note of the bill, Gatchalian cited Department of Health (DOH) data from Dec. 21, 2021 to Jan 1, 2022, which showed that fireworks-related injuries went down 11 percent compared to the same period the previous year.

He also noted that injuries in 2021 were 85 percent lower than the 340 cases in 2020 and 89 percent lower than the five-year average from 2015 to 2019.

Minors and young adults aged 11 to 30 sustained the most injuries caused by prohibited firecrackers such as boga, five-star and piccolo, Gatchalian said.

He also noted that most of the victims were “passive spectators” or bystanders, while many cases happened at home and on the streets.

“While significant reductions in the number of fireworks-related injuries have happened over the years because of greater government regulation, it would be ideal to further reduce, if not eliminate, fireworks-related injuries by prohibiting any person or business establishment from manufacturing, selling, discharging firecrackers or pyrotechnic device except for authorized fireworks displays as proposed herein,” Gatchalian’s bill read. — Brix Lelis, Marc Jayson Cayabyab, Elizabeth Marcelo, Emmanuel Tupas