Palace reminds Filipinos to avoid firecrackers

Natashya Gutierrez

This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

As of December 28, the DOH National Epidemiology Center says the number of firecracker victims is down by 43% compared to 2013

AVOID DANGER. Malacañang reminds Filipinos to avoud the use of firecrackers ovr the holidays. File photo by Leanne Jazul/Rappler

MANILA, Philippines – In its New Year’s message to Filipinos, Malacañang expressed support for the Department of Health (DOH)’s warning against the use of firecrackers.

On Sunday, December 28, Communications Secretary Sonny Coloma again encouraged Filipinos to welcome 2015 in a safe manner.

“Just a few days before 2015, we continue to remind all our countrymen to be one in avoiding the use of dangerous firecrackers and to welcome the New Year safely and far from any sort of danger,” he said.

He said Malacañang is one with the DOH in its advice to “use alternative tools to celebrate, such as playing loud music, hitting pots, using blow horns or even celebrating on the streets or having street parties in welcoming the New Year.”

According to Coloma, the DOH National Epidemiology Center said the number of firecracker victims is down by 43% compared to last year, due to the health agency’s aggressive Iwas Paputok or Avoid Firecrackers campaign. The DOH launched this year’s campaign discouraging firecracker use early this month with the simple message: Life is precious.

As of Sunday, December 28, firecracker-related injuries numbered at least 113.

Data from the health department showed that the number of fireworks-related injuries increased from 931 in 2012 to 1,018 in 2013, with one reported death. One in every 4 cases involved a young boy aged 6 to 10 years old, and more than half or 58% of the incidents happened in the National Capital Region (NCR).

The department also recorded 25 cases of amputations in 2013.

Coordination

Coloma said the national agencies are working with one another to ensure the people’s safety.

“The DOH continues to coordinate with other government agencies like the DILG (Department of the Interior and Local Government) and the national police to prevent additional victims of firecrackers and to make parents realize the danger firecrackers pose to their children’s lives,” he added.

NCR Police Chief Inspector Carlo Manuel has said they will penalize violators of Republic Act 7183 or the law regulating the trade and use of firecrackers in the Philippines, while the Bureau of Fire Protection in Manila said they will continue to ban sky lanterns and urge Filipinos not to use baby rockets since the two firecrackers cause about 25% of fire incidents in the country. (READ: Which firecrackers are allowed by law?)

The DOH is currently on Code White Alert, the highest level of alert for the department. All public hospitals across the country are open and ready to assist with firecracker-related injuries. – Rappler.com

Add a comment

Sort by

There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation.

Summarize this article with AI

How does this make you feel?

Loading
Download the Rappler App!
Face, Happy, Head

author

Natashya Gutierrez

Natashya is President of Rappler. Among the pioneers of Rappler, she is an award-winning multimedia journalist and was also former editor-in-chief of Vice News Asia-Pacific. Gutierrez was named one of the World Economic Forum’s Young Global Leaders for 2023.